DEMIREL: "TURKEY WILL BE AN EU MEMBER IN 10 YEARS"

The 50th anniversary of the establishment of the European Union (EU) was celebrated with a ceremony at the Cankaya Presidential Palace yesterday. President Suleyman Demirel stated that Turkey's membership to the EU entered in a road, whose return is impossible for both of the sides, and that Turkey's full-membership will occur within the first 10 years of the 21st century. Demirel said, "I consider the fact that some circles question whether Turkey is a part of Europe an unhealthy state of mind that will vanish in the course of history." Mayor of Diyarbakir from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP), Feridun Celik, Democratic Party's (DEP) former advocate, Yusuf Alatas, Alewite associations, unions, representatives of the Christian and Muslim people living in Turkey and the non-governmental organizations also attended the 'European Day' ceremony as well as the State protocol. /Cumhuriyet/

DEMIREL TO VISIT ALBANIA

President Suleyman Demirel will go to Albania today for a one-day visit as the guest of Albanian President Recep Meidani. During the visit, Demirel will be awarded Albania's greatest state honour. Relations between Albania and Turkey, regional and international concerns will be evaluated, as well as the Kosovo issue. /All papers/

PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE PRIME MINISTRY

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan spoke at a press conference at the Prime Ministry building and gave details regarding the operation to bring to book the murderers of journalist Ugur Mumcu, killed by a car bomb in 1993, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Ecevit said that operations being mounted not only determined the culprits of murders committed against the secular and democratic regime, but they have also highlighted these individuals' relations with other organizations, their foreign ties and their funding. He continued, "The political murders, which have remained unsolved for years now, are being solved one after the other. The outstanding success of the Hizbullah operations and the bringing to book of those who murdered our valued investigative journalist and writer Ugur Mumcu have all increased public confidence in the state." Ecevit congratulated the police teams working in various provinces, not least in Istanbul, under the guidance of the Security General Directorate's Intelligence Bureau and Interior Minister Tantan for the success of their operations.

TOPRAK RESIGNS FROM HIS DUTY

Turkish Grand National Assembly's member of the Turco-Iranian Friendship Group, Deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) to Istanbul, Erdogan Toprak, resigned from his membership of the commission, stating his reason for doing so was that the relationship between the murder of Ugur Mumcu and Iran was revealed. Toprak issued a statement yesterday, saying, "It was revealed to us and to the public that some incidents that occurred in Turkey were supported by some circles in Iran. It was understood from the confessioners' testimony that the killers of Ugur Mumcu were trained in Iran and sent by Iran to our country. I don't believe that the Turco-Iranian friendship group will reach the determined targets." /Sabah/

35 PEOPLE DETAINED

Within the framework of UMUT operation, which aims at finding the murderers of Ugur Mumcu, 35 more people were detained in Istanbul, Kayseri, Edirne and Bursa and, thus, the total number of those detained reached 133. It was revealed that three of 21 people, who were detained in Bursa, were religion teachers. /Milliyet/

'TALE OF THREE SEAS' CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

'Tale of Three Seas: Eurasian Energy Conference at the Intersection Point' Conference was organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK), Black Sea Economic Cooperation (KEI) Business Council and Cambridge Energy Associated (CERA) yesterday. During the conference, which was also attended by President Suleyman Demirel, the energy policies of the new millenium were discussed. Demirel stated that the petroleum and natural gas pipeline projects should be implemented and the construction of these pipelines should be started as soon as possible. Minister of Energy, Cumhur Ersumer, in the name of DEIK, Yavuz Zeytinoglu, in the name of KEI Business Council, Nihat Gokyigit, in the name of CERA, Daniel Yergin, John Stanislaw and many audience also attended this conference, which started with the concert of the Black Sea Orchestra, comprising musicians from 22 countries. Demirel added, "Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are in solidarity concerning the regional cooperation. The representatives of these three countries will sign the Host Country Agreement's updated version. Big steps were taken in terms of the implementation of the project." Meanwhile, Chairman of CERA, Daniel Yergin, stated that there were improvements in the petroleum industry since last year. /Cumhuriyet/

WATER PROJECT FOR TRNC

A second important step has been taken in the Turkey-Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) water pipeline project to permanently solve the drink and tap water issue of the TRNC. The General Director of the State Water Affairs (DSI), Dogan Altinbilek, stated that they were waiting for the loan confirmation of the Undersecretary of Treasury for the project services of the pipeline, for which feasibility studies were previously completed. The Turkey-TRNC water pipeline project which is known as the "peace water", is expected to cost about 350 million dollars and it will transfer water from Anamur Dragon Stream to the TRNC from the pipes, laid at the bottom of the sea. /Turkiye/

GREEK PRESIDENT VISITS WESTERN THRACE

Greek President Kostis Stephanopulos met Turks living in Western Trace, during his visit to Turkish villages. In Gumulcine and Dedeagac, Stephanopulos stressed that in the region the Muslim minority's living standard has lately increased and he listened to the issues of the villagers. He also pledged to visit the region again. /Turkiye/

FP LEADER KUTAN CALLS FOR PARTY UNITY

Recai Kutan, the Leader of the Virtue Party (FP), addressed his party's parliamentary group yesterday, stressing the need for unity and togetherness at the party convention to be held this weekend, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Kutan said his party was the people's only hope and therefore it was imperative that the party project an image of unity at the upcoming conference.

BAHCELI: "PARTIES REACHING A CONSENSUS DID OUR DEMOCRACY PROUD"

Praising the way the five parties represented in Parliament came together and reached an agreement to nominate a joint candidate for president, National Action Party (MHP) Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said yesterday, "They did our democracy proud." Speaking at a weekly meeting of the MHP parliamentary group, Bahceli stressed the importance of tolerance and compromise in politics. Bahceli expressed satisfaction over the Gur Mumcu case "is close to being solved." He also listed a number of issues cited in the government programme during his speech. /Turkish Daily News/

ENGLISH COUNCIL GENERAL VISITS GURTUNA

England's Council General, Peter Hant, visited Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ali Mufit Gurtuna. Hant stated that he had invited Gurtuna to the England-Turkey 2000 Festival, which will be organized jointly by England's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by England's Ministry of Trade next month. Meanwhile, Gurtuna said, "We want the English financial circles to invest in Istanbul." /Cumhuriyet/

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROJECT

The Professional Education Project, which was implemented by the Turkish Development Foundation (TKV) and Sinop's district of Duragan with the support of ILO-IPEC using four villages of Duragan, had interesting results. Coordinator of ILO-IPEC Project, Sule Caglar, stated that the project's goal was to create new employment opportunitites and to increase consciousness of the problems of working children in the rural area. /Cumhuriyet/

NASA AT THE RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE

The Global Positioning System (GSP), which was developed by NASA and used in anti-terrorist efforts, was brought to Turkey. NASA was also present at the Telecommunications Exhibition, which was organized at Harbiye Military Museum and Cultural Site as part of the World's Radiocommunication Conference, 2000. Director of NASA's Technical Information Services, Jack Haneklau, stated that the opportunity to 'reach the target step by step' was created thanks to the GSP system, which ensures the necessary coordinates to find the wanted people or vehicle no matter where it is located. Haneklau added, "This system, which makes it possible to determine the place of an object by a receiver through the signals sent to the satellites, will be able to be used also to determine the place of planes, agricultural vehicles, fishermen's engines and the mountaining teams. Anyone, who has this 75 dollars receiver will be able to send messages to anyone with the same sort of receiver." /Cumhuriyet/

EUTELSAT SATELLITES

The Eutelsat company, which has the largest "satellite fleet" in the world, promoted its new digital system at a press meeting in Istanbul. During the meeting, the General Director of the company, Giuliano Beretta, stressed that Turkey was one of the most developed markets in sector of cable and satellite television in Europe. Beratta said, "Turkey is an extremely dynamic market." Eutelsat has currently 15 satellites in space and plans to increase that amount to 21. /Milliyet/

MINISTERS OF ENVIRONMENT TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY

Turkish Minister of the Environment, Fevzi Aytekin, made a written statement concerning the meeting of the European Union-member Countries' Ministers of Environment, which was held in Slovakia between 3 and 5 May, stating that this meeting was held in Slovakia for the first time to exchange opinions concerning the problems of the EU-candidate countries in the process of gaining membership to the EU and to give information to the EU on the common problems of the candidate countries. Aytekin added that it was decided that the second meeting will be held in May, 2001 in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

GEN.KIVRIKOGLU MEETS RALSTON

NATO's highest decision-making organ, the Military Committee, will discuss NATO's military strategy and structural matters, at its 138th ordinary meeting which began in Brussels yesterday, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Turkey is being represented at the meeting by Chief of General Staff, Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu. At yesterday's meeting, Kivrikoglu met NATO European Allied Forces' new General Commander (SACUER) Gen.Joseph Ralston.

TURKISH WORLD CONVENES IN THE US

The Turkish World is coming together at the traditional 19th Turkish Parade which will be organized in New York on May 20. The Turkish-Speaking Countries will participate in the parade. The former Azerbaijani Head of State, Ebulfeyz Elcibey, is also expected to attend the ceremonies. /Turkiye/

GSM SALE IN COUNCIL OF STATE

The Minister of Transport, Enis Oksuz, stated that meetings on the draft agreement for the GSM 1800 network license were on-going and added that the agreement would be sent to the Council of State and the Board of Competition within 10 days. Oksuz remarked that during the privatization of the Turk Telecom, the satellite section will be completely separate. /Aksam/

TURKEY, SYRIA FOCUS ON COMMON INTERESTS IN TRADE

Cooperation between Turkey and Syria could benefit not only the two neighbours themselves, but the whole of the Middle East region, according to State Minister for the Economy, Recep Onal. Onal said in a joint trade seminar in Damascus with senior Syrian economic officials yesterday that the size of the Turkish delegation, which includes almost 150 businessmen, showed that Turkey was determined to make progress in its commercial and economic relations with Syria. Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen also made a speech at the seminar. He invited Syrian businessmen to cooperate in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). He added that officials should eliminate some barriers to improve trade between the two countries. He indicated that Turkey was the second biggest investor in Central Asian countries following the EU, and that all these possibilities created a natural environment for cooperation with Syria. /All papers/

FOREIGN CAPITAL DRAFT LAW WAS PREPARED

The Treasury Undersecretariat's General Director to the Foreign Capital, Mehmet Onaner, issued a statement during the 'Economic Stability, Growth and the Foreign Capital' conference, saying that they were willing to change the Foreign Investment Law and that a Foreign Capital Draft Law was prepared. Onaner added, "This draft law's language is shorter and more modern. Also it removes the concept of permission, envisages the process of registration, reflects freedom in the foreign exchange operations regulations in terms of law and gives more importance to the promotion of Turkey abroad." /Milliyet/

CHANNEL D IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

The Channel D, the first private Turkish TV channel broadcasting in Europe for four years will also be available in New Zealand and Australia. The Television and Radio Broadcasting Services Australia (TARBS), the biggest company in this field in Australia, has applied to Channel D saying that "Turks living in our country mostly want to watch your channel." With an agreement signed upon this demand, Channel D will be available in Australia and New Zealand. Channel D can already be seen in all of Europe, the US, Canada and Asia. /Hurriyet/

A TURK IN U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCES ACADEMY

Prof.Celal Sengor, a lecturer at the Geology Department of the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), has been elected a member of the U.S. National Sciences Academy. An ITU statement said that Prof.Sengor was the first Turkish scientist elected to this academy. It is reported that Prof.Sengor will participate in the ordinary meeting of the academy in the upcoming days in Washington and will sign the "Academy membership protocol." The U.S. National Sciences Academy is regarded as one of the prominent academies in the world. /Hurriyet/

BORDER COUNTRIES' JOURNALISTS' MEET IN EDIRNE

The First International Border Countries Journalists' Symposium began yesterday in Edirne, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Turkish, Greek and Bulgarian journalists participated and stated that journalists from those countries had played an important role in securing peace in the Balkans, and promoting Turkish, Greek and Bulgarian friendship. The symposium will end on May 10.

CULTURE MINISTRY IN WAP

Culture Minister Istemihan Talay held a press conference yesterday in Istanbul and spoke about the Ministry's Internet site and the wireless application protocol (WAP), the Anatolia News Agency reports. Pointing out that the Culture Ministry's Internet site was in the top 10 of all Internet sites across the world as regards quality and breadth, Talay said, "Now our site had moved into the WAP environment and is available to mobile phone users. The site will be promoted in England, Spain and the US from the popular Yahoo site.

PROPOSALS' PACKAGE

Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Trade, Sinan Aygun, visited Premier Bulent Ecevit and presented a proposals' package including 100 articles to increase the public sources. Aygun also gave Ecevit a sword as a gift, inscribed with the words "accomplishments in the struggle against inflation." /Star/

OUTPUT UP 49.7 %

Turkey's automotive production rose by 49.7 % year-on-year in the first four months, the Automotive Industry Association announced yesterday. During January-April 2000 automotive production totalled 121,064 units, up from last year's 80,847 units. Car production increased by 63.1 % to 78,452 units. Commercial vehicles produced in the same period year-on-year numbered 31,832, rising by 52.6 %. In April alone, the sector's output was up 36.6 % to 37,882 units. /All papers/

KOC HOLDING Q1 GROWTH BEATS EXPECTATIONS

The Koc Group posted a 15 % growth on dollar basis year-on-year in the first quarter, senior Koc officials announced at a news conference in Istanbul yesterday. Group sales rose by 15 % to $2.4 billion, 12 % above the projected growth for the first quarter. For the whole year Koc has targeted a 12 % physical growth. Group companies posted a net profit of $135 million up by 226 % year-on-year in the first quarter. Koc Acting Board Chairman Temel Atay told the news conference that the group's exports rose by 14 % to $185 million. /All papers/

TREASURY BORROWS AT 32.05 %

The Treasury sold bonds worth a net TL 572 trillion at a 15-month bond auction yesterday for an annual average compound yield of 32.05 %. Bids added up to TL 3.4 quadrillion against a nominal sale of TL 818.3 trillion. The Treasury also sold bonds worth TL 84.9 trillion to the public sector at the going rate. /All papers/

RAIL TENDER SEEN AS CONCLUDED IN THREE MONTHS

The Turkish Railways Authority (TCDD) will probably conclude a tender entailing a high-speed rail link between Istanbul and Ankara in three months, the Anatolia News Agency reports. All six international bidders passed the administrative evaluation, TCDD officials said. The tender will be awarded to the consortium that has quoted the lowest price and foreign loan amount, they said.

ROTARIANS IN EARTHQUAKE REGION

The Chairman of the International Rotary Clubs, Carlo Ravizza, visited the earthquake region and observed the rotarians' works there, during his fifth visit to Turkey. Ravizza stated that he was happy with the rotarians work in the quake zone and stressed that they would implement a project to provide prosthetics for the children who lost a limb as a result of the quake, cooperating with Turkish and German Rotary Clubs and Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medicine Faculty's Hospital. He also stressed that they would establish a stocking factory for the unemployment persons and disabled children in the region. /Turkiye/

MATHEMATICS OLYMPICS

The Turkish team had a great success in the 17th Balkan Mathematics Olympics. The team, educated by TUBITAK, won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the Olympics, organized in Moldova on May 3-9. Turkey came second among nine Balkan countries as a team. /Turkiye/

CARTOONS EXHIBITION IN DIYARBAKIR

120 cartoons which received awards at the Aydin Dogan Foundation's International Cartoons Competition are being exhibited in Diyarbakir. The Governor of the Emergency Rule Region, Gokhan Aydiner, and Governor of Diyarbakir, Cemil Serhadli, opened the exhibition which will stay open until May 12. /Hurriyet/

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

TEHRAN IS THE KEY BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

Columnist Gungor Mengi coments on the recent developments concerning the murder case of Ugur Mumcu. A summary of his column is as follows: "Is Turkey freeing herself from the vicious circles of terrorism/inflation which lost her a quarter of a century? Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli is correct in saying that Turkey had to fight the terroristic activities of the PKK and in recent years other terrorist organizations which took violence to the points of savegery were added to these. The victories achieved last year freed Turkey from the threats of terrorism and increased the hopes we can create an atmosphere necessary for economic and democratic improvements. Turkey is located in a critical region and especially her Southern and Southeastern neighbours do not want her to be country of freedom and prosperity. Such a Turkey will constitute a threat to their regimes. That is why obstructing the path of Turkey has been the common goal of Syria, Iraq and Iran. All of these countries have chosen terrorism as the means for their attack. To scratch economic, ethnic and religious wounds may be considered dishonourable and treachorous but it is the cheapest method of fighting for hostile states. For years Turkey had to spend millions of dollars which she could have used to straighten the economy... Turkey has to stop these activities instead of looking for revenge and leave the door open for the Iranian Administration to retreat. This chance was given to Athens which supported the PKK for years and hid Ocalan in her Embassy in Kenya, and should be afforded to Iran as well. Iran is passing through a transition period. The officials who were in power when these murders were committed face the winds of change in Iran. The power Turkey gained from the information fighting against terrorism is the most important factor in these events."

EUROPEAN DREAM, EUROPEAN PROJECT ON EUROPE DAY BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)

Hasan Cemal comments on past experiences and democracy in Europe. A summary of his column is as follows: "Suffering changes men and society and in a way help them to mature. All obstacles educate men. Europe has gone through this experience. In fact, she passed through a more painful and bloody process than that seen in Turkey. It can be said that in the 20th century Europe has never known peace. Wars, coups, revolutions, riots and civil wars were ever present... Therefore, even though the roots of democracy and infrastructure of democracy had a long past in Europe, it was adopted as a life-style only after the Second World War. Societies do not learn the lesson of democracy easily. History lessons are not enough to teach societies these facts. Some lessons are learned only through experience. Following the Second World War Europe accepted the indispensability of democracy as a life-style. Therefore it can be said that the basis for the European project was laid down fifty years ago. Thet is why May 9 is celebrated as Europe Day. As a candidate country, Turkey has also begun to celebrate this day. A ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace on the occasion symbolizing the fact that Turkey shares the democratic ideals and values of Europe. During the ceremony President Demirel stated that to enter the European Union was a choice made by the free will of Turkey. He added that no one would force Turkey to be a member. 'That is why we have to free ourselves from the conflicting views of speaking of foreign pressure to carry out reforms for our own good while we are trying to enter the EU. If we do not want to conform to the standards laid down by the EU, then something must be lacking in our will. If we are sincere in our desire, we have to adapt ourselves to the standards of the EU in every field, we have to experience a change of mentality in all areas. We do not have any time to lose.' Due to the Presidential Election time was lost. Turkey has to return to the problems awaiting her, such as elevating the standards of democracy and human rights, as well as continuing reforms in the economic field. If we can solve these questions, Turkey will open the door to a bright future for generations to come."

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