EYES ON TGNA

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) will hold a ballot to elect the 10th President of the Republic of Turkey during its session at 03:00 p.m. The Presidential candidacy of 11 nominees has been ratified. At least 367 votes are needed to be elected as the president in the first round of voting. The second round of the ballots is expected to be held on May 1, if no result can be obtained from the voting today. /Aksam/

DEMIREL: "WE WILL NOT BE LEFT BEHIND IN TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION"

President Suleyman Demirel delivered a speech during a meeting that was organized by the Association of the Graduates of Istanbul University's Faculty of Economy due to the 25th Economists' week and said, "Turkey should not miss the opportunities of the 21st century. Competition in the 21st century will be enormous. If we miss its first 10 years, then it will be impossible to catch up during the remaining years. We should be aware of all the developments in the world in the first 10 years of the 21st century and we should keep our door open to all the positive developments." Demirel also pointed out the importance of globalization and said that Turkey should adapt itself to help in this and to ensure this, Turkey should first of all adapt itself to the European Union. Demirel added, "Turkey will have a bright future. The income per capita will grow to 10,000 dollars and for this purpose the speed of improvement must remain at an average of 5%." /Sabah/

STONE: "GOVERNMENT SHOULD PIONEER A BREAKTHROUGH FOR QUALITY"

An Advisor to the White House, Bob Stone, who has initiated a breakthrough for quality in the White House, arrived in Turkey as the guest of the 'Quality Association (KalDer)'. Stone stated that the government should pioneer such actions in the public sector and said that if the US President Bill Clinton had not given his support, such a breakthrough would not have been achieved. Stone added that Turkey should do the same. /Hurriyet/

PROPOSAL FOR COOPERATION IN POSTAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, said that she was ready to serve as an advisor for reforms of the postal services in Turkey, which has one of the leading postal services in the world. Clark said, "Following modernization in the Turkish postal services, Turkey and New Zealand can jointly help to modernize the postal services in Central Asian countries". Clark who arrived in Turkey last Friday to attend Anzac Day celebrations met a group consisting of the businessmen and academics in Istanbul yesterday. She added that there were many young people who could not manage to pass the university exam in Turkey and stated that there were many universities with an international education standard in New Zealand. Clark later visited the earthquake region in Duzce's Kaynasli district and remarked that she would would grant 200,000 New Zealand dollars to the Turkish Representative Office of the UNICEF Emergency Assistance Fund For Children to help the victims. /Hurriyet/

AMBASSADOR OYMEN MEETS AZERBAIJANI DEFENCE MINISTER

Azerbaijani Defence Minister Sefer Abiyev met Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Onur Oymen, who was in Baku for an unofficial visit on Tuesday. The Defence Ministry stated that the relations between NATO and Azerbaijan had been discussed during the meeting. Abiyev said that Azerbaijan participates in activities that are within the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme. Abiyev also stated that Azerbaijan would work to improve relations between NATO and Azerbaijan. For his part, Ambassador Oymen said it was important for Azerbaijan to take part in NATO exercises in order to bring its armed forces up to NATO standards. /Turkish Daily News/

PKK TERRORISTS KILLED

According to the Office of the Governor of the State of Emergency Region, during a crack-down in Tunceli, security forces killed eight members of the illegal TKP/ML and TIKKO terrorist organizations. The terrorists had participated in the incident which was resulted in the murder of a major, a captain and four sergeants. /Turkiye/

ASYLUM DEMAND OF PKK TERRORIST REJECTED

Germany, Italy and Holland have rejected the demand of a member of the so-called Chairmanship Council of the PKK terrorist organization, Riza Altun, for political asylum. The reason for the rejection was due to the fact that the PKK is regarded as an illegal organization. /Hurriyet/

PILOTS DAY

The Turkish Pilots Day was celebrated with the participation of the civilian and military pilots. Pilots, led by the Commander of the Air Force, Gen. Ergin Celasin, and the General Secretary of the National Security Council, Gen. Cumhur Asparuk, visited Ataturk's Mausoleum and laid a wreath. During his speech at a ceremony, Gen. Celasin stated that Turkish aviation has improved greatly since the first flight of the first Turkish pilot, Captain Mehmet Fesa Evrensev, to the year 2000. /Turkiye/

SUPPORT FOR HASANKEYF

Environmentalists in Italy have launched a campaign to abandon the initiatives of the Italian firm, Impregillo, which assumed the construction of the Ilisu Dam that will cause the historic Hasankeyf district to lay under the water. Italian environmentalists who faxed the Hasankeyf Volunteers' Association based in Batman said that they were not against the construction of the dam, but added that they were trying to prevent a historical site from going under water. /Hurriyet/

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

The Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Yasar Okuyan, announced that insured people would receive social security card. During his speech at a meeting in Istanbul Chamber of Trade, Minister Okuyan said, "At the first stage, 32 million citizens from SSK, and 14 million from Bag-Kur will get these cards. They will be used in all social security and health situations. The project will be completed in 20 months at the latest. /Star/

TUPRAS MODEL CONSIDERED FOR PETKIM, ERDEMIR

The model applied in the public offering of oil refinery concern Tupras might be adopted for the sell-offs of petrochemical giant Petkim and iron and steel company Erdemir, State Minister for Privatization Yuksel Yalova said yesterday. Yalova further noted that a framework legislation to regulate the electricity and gas sectors would be debated in Parliament this year, adding that privatization proceeds in the coming two years would largely be obtained from these two sectors. By the end of 2000 the state will have completely withdrawn from the iron and steel, fertilizer, textiles, tourism, shipbuilding and marine transport sAectors, said Yuksel Yalova. Dwelling on the social consequences of privatization, Yalova explained those who lose their jobs due to privatization are given compensation by the state. "The ASupreme Privatization Board (OYK) has earmarked 1 trillion TL for a labour adjustment project supported by the World Bank. Another $125 million could be secured from the World Bank in May which will be used for unemployment compensation purposes" he added. Meanwhile, an announcement for the block sale of a 20 % stake in telecommunications concern Turk Telecom is likely to be published tomorrow. /All papers/

BOSCH OPENS DIESEL INJECTOR FACTORY IN BURSA

Bosch opened its Bosch Common-Rail factory in Bursa's industrial zone yesterday, an addition to the already existing Bosch complex there. The factory will produce energy-saving diesel injection systems and has plans to produce a total of 600,000 diesel injectors this year and 3 million injectors in 2001. Bosch GmbH President Hermann School made a speech at the opening ceremony, attended by President Suleyman Demirel. School said that diesel motors are replacing those operating on gasoline and added that this trend will grow in the future. Bosch's Managing Director in Turkey Klaus Peter Fouquet also spoke at the ceremony and announced that the factory's construction had been completed quickly and its staff trained in Germany. Fouquet added that waste water in the factory will be purified and used again to avoid damaging the environment. /All papers/

ENERGY NETWORK IN ANATOLIA

While meetings to bring Russian, Iranian and Turkmen natural gas are on-going, initiatives to install Anatolia with natural gas networks are also being carried out. According to the 'Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution Lines Map' prepared by the Investments Group Chairman's Office of the Pipeline Transportation Company (BOTAS), a large part of Anatolia will be laid with natural gas networks. Meanwhile, initiatives to transport Turkmen natural gas to the Black Sea in the year 2001 have also begun, officials said. /Cumhuriyet/

FOURTH BSCE MEETING STARTS IN ROMANIA

The Black Sea Economic Cooperation's (BSCE) fourth meeting of interior ministers starts today in Brasov, Romania, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Turkish Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan and a Turkish delegation will attend the meeting.

ELECTRONIC TRADE IN TURKEY

Intel's Director for the Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa, Jim Thomson, delivered a speech during the seminar entitled 'E-Trade and the Background of the Internet,' organized by Intel, in which he stated that Turkish companies should implement electronic trade practices and that they also should take their place in the global internet economy. Thomson also pointed out the necessity of tapping the big potential of Turkey and increasing the number of innovative companies. In addition, Microsoft's General Director to Turkey, Sureyya Ciliv, Compaq's General Director for Turkey, Mehmet Nalbantoglu and Dell's General Director to Turkey and Greece, Erwin Prevost also gave information on the advantages of the electronic trade. /Aksam/

FIVE BANKS' RATING INCREASES

Standard and Poor's, a rating company which increased Turkey's long-term credit rating, also increased the credit rating of five Turkish banks. In a statement issued by Standard and Poor's, the points of Turk Eximbank, Garanti Bank, Osmanli Bank, Korfezbank and Ziraat Bank, in terms of the long-term foreign exchange credit, was increased from (B) to (B+). In adddition, Ziraat Bank's short-term foreign exchange rate was increased from (C) to (B). Standard and Poor's stated that their expectations concerning these banks were positive. /Aksam/

PERIOD OF TECHNICAL COMPETITION

Chairman of the Executive Board of Kocbank, Burhan Karacam, stated that the those who direct the commercial sector and those who direct technology should work cooperatively so that Turkey can be successful in international competition in terms of technology. Karacam issued a speech during the panel entitled 'Profitable Approaches in Banking,' which was organized by KocSistem and its partner Unisys, and stated that those who do not give importance to the technology of information cannot take part in future rivalry. In addition, Chairman of the Executive Board of European Financial Services Advisory Company, Martin Dale, stated that the customers of the banks wanted their banks to serve faster and perfectly and to ensure a great variety of alternatives in the banking sector. Dale added that the banks that cannot ensure these opportunites will find themselves in an increasingly worse situation. /Sabah/

TREASURY BACKS POWER PROJECTS

A report on the energy sector prepared by the Treasury Undersecretariat, the State Planning Organization (DPT) and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was made public yesterday. According to the Anatolia News Agency, the report discloses Turkey's energy consumption and production plans to be implemented by the year 2005. The report suggests making a decision on build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects waiting for Treasury guarantee. Government officials will discuss the report with World Bank officials, who arrived in Turkey yesterday.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYMPOSIUM

The problems of the telecommunications will be discussed in the "First National Telecommunications Symposium" on May 3-5 in Ankara. The symposium will be organized by Ankara and Gazi Universities' Telecommunications Faculties and Ericsson Company's contributions. It will be the first meeting of its kind, organized in Turkey. In the symposium, Academicians from 10 universities in Turkey will present their studies. /Turkiye/

HACI BEKTAS VELI SYMPOSIUM

The "First International Haci Bektas Veli Symposium" is beginning today. The three-day Symposium was organized by Haci Bektas Veli Culture Foundation. Academicians and researchers from the Republics in Central Asia, Europe and Turkey will present 32 declarations and they will discuss the idea and culture of Haci Bektas Veli. /Cumhuriyet/

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME FAIR IN ISTANBUL

The Sixth Exposhipping International Maritime Fair and Conference held once every two years started in Istanbul yesterday with the cooperation of Istanbul Fair Company and Chamber of Maritime Trade. The opening of the fair which will last until April 30 was made by State Minister Responsible for Maritime, Ramazan Mirzaoglu, and the Head of the Executive Board of the Chamber of Maritime Trade, Cengiz Kaptanoglu. Experts in maritime issues from 26 countries discussed the future of the world maritime affairs and the Straits during the International Maritime Conference. /Hurriyet/

WATER SKI COMPETITION

The Hillside International Water Ski Competion will be carried out on May 11-14 at Hillside Beach Club in Fethiye. In addition to Turkey, about 50 sportsmen from various countries will race in slalom, wakeboard, air chair and freestyle jump categories. /Cumhuriyet/

PROJECT COMPETITON

This year, 20 projects from eight countries will compete at the International Scientific Project Competition which has been organized by Bogazici University's Engineering Club for six years. It is the first and only sciencitific project competition in the world which has been organized by students. About 50 foreign pupils, to participate in the competion, will be hosted by the Bogazici University's students in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

BLACK SEA SHIP

The Black Sea Ship, of which the occupied rate reached 100% during its tour to the Mediterranean Sea during New Year's Day, will next go to Greece. The trip, which will travel for seven days and eight nights among the islands and which will start from Istanbul, includes Izmir, Mykonos, Santorin, the Crete and Pire. The prices will be between 400 million TL and 900 million TL according to the type of cabin. /Aksam/

EXHIBITION IN PARIS

The Koc Family has given a reception and a banquet attended by many notable people from Turkey and France on the occasion of an exhibition including Iznik, Kutahya and Canakkale tiles opened at the Jacquemart Andre Museum in Paris. In the exhibition to remain open until July 2, nearly 200 works of art belonging to the 15th and 16th centuries will be presented. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH MILITARY BAND PLAYS IN KOSOVO

The Turkish Armed Forces Command (KKK) Military Band, consisting of 24 musicians, will give concerts in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The KKK General Secretariat said in a written statement that the band would give concerts in the former Yugoslavia in order to increase the motivation and morale of KKK officers stationed there. The band will return to Turkey after giving concerts in Skopje and Sarajevo.

AYLA ALGAN GOES TO HOLLAND

Ayla Algan, a theater artist, went to Rotterdam yesterday to perform the play entitled 'Ayla Algan is saying Yunus Emre'. Ayla Algan who was accompanied by the General Art Director of the Istanbul Municipality's City Theaters, Kenan Isik, and the Director of the Theaters, Abdullah Kaplan, said that the play would be performed this evening. /Hurriyet/

NAIM SULEYMANOGLU RECEIVES TWO BRONZE MEDALS

Naim Suleymanoglu, a weight-lifter in the 64-kilo category, received two bronze medals in the European Weight-Lifting Championship held in Sofia yesterday. Naim Suleymanoglu managed to become third in the snatch with 140 kilos and fourth in the clean and jerk with 170 kilos. He ranked third in total weight. /Star/

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

INCREASE IN TURKEY'S RATING SHOULD ENCOURAGE US BY ERCAN MUMCU (HURRIYET)

Ercan Mumcu is a columnist in the daily 'Hurriyet' newspaper. In his article, he comments on the increase in Turkey's credit rating. A summary of his column is as follows: "After Turkey signed the stand-by agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the markets already began to increase Turkey's credit rating. As usual, the credit rating establishments followed the markets with a delay and Standard and Poors increased our rating to (B+). Credit rating establishments earn money because they show the risks to the investors and they can make two kinds of mistakes: one of them is to portray the borrower as being more risky than he is; and the other one is to consider the borrower less risky than he is. The credit rating establishments prefer the first mistake to the second one. Because the investors demanded more profit from the borrowers due to the fact that he is risky and, thus, earns an income more than expected. In the second kind of mistake, the investors demand much more profit from the borrowers due to the fact that he is less risky but in fact they are face to face with a more risky borrower. These kinds of mistakes cause credit rating establishments to lose esteem. Due to the fact that the credit rating establishments acted slowly at the end of 1993, Turkey was portrayed as a less risky country although it was a more risky country. The reason for this was the fact that the second kind of mistake had been made. Consequently, the investors lost money. Then the credit rating establishments decreased Turkey's rating from (BBB+) to (B)' in order to compensate this situation and, thus, the second kind of mistake was prevented from being made. Now just the opposite of what occurred at the end of 1993 and at the beginning of 1994 is occuring. Standard and Poors increased Turkey's rating in a very short period of time, which gives us many opportunities. If we do not steer away from the current stability programme, the market's impressions concerning Turkey will be more positive. Credit rating establishments will influence the markets and the markets will do the same to these establishments. Thus, the establisments such as Standard and Poors will follow the markets faster than before."

THE ESTIMATIONS FAILED BY DOGAN HEPER (MILLIYET)

Dogan Heper is a columnist at the daily 'Milliyet' newspaper. In this article, he comments on Ahmet Necdet Sezer's candidacy for the Presidency and the characteristics that a President should have. A summary of his columns is as follows: "There are 11 presidential candidates, all of whom consider themselves lucky to be in the election. 10 of them are from the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and one of them, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, is from outside of the TGNA. Five leaders in Turkey reached a consensus on his candidacy, a first in Turkey. This approach can be considered a promising start. The person on which the leaders reached a consensus is a very honest jurist. Therefore there is not a single aspect of Sezer's character to be criticized. The issue of the Presidency has been on the agenda of the TGNA for six months. During this period of time, the qualifications that a President should have were put forward. Even the Prime Minister discussed the characteristics that he considered important. From these statements a list of ideal characteristics was formed and this list is as follows: spotless reputation, respectable, honest, republican, secular, experienced, balancing, compromising, having knowledge of foreign and inner policy, having the necessary sophistication, knowledge and experience that will create respect in the foreign relations, modern, dynamic, convincing, having the ability to cover the distance in democratization and to aid in liberalization and implementation of economic reforms. After this list was complied, discussion of the names of those who have or do not have these qualifications dominated the agenda. The three leaders gave the names of their own candidates two days prior to the deadline, and then, unexpectedly, on the last day all the estimations were proved false and it was understood that they had engaged in an useless discussion for a long period of time due to the fact that a consensus was reached on Sezer. If the 10 candidates except Sezer can collect a few votes, then the expectation of 367 votes will be endangered and, thus, Sezer will become President in the second round of voting on Monday."

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