TAKE-OVER CEREMONY

President Suleyman Demirel is handing his office over to the 10th President of the Republic of Turkey, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, today with a ceremony at 05:20 p.m. Suleyman Demirel and his wife, Nazmiye Demirel will be seen off from Cankaya Palace to their residence on Guniz Street by the new President, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and the first lady, Semra Sezer. In the meantime, about 1,500 distinguished guests are expected to attend a reception which will be held at Cankaya Palace as part of the take-over ceremony. /Hurriyet/

DEMIREL'S FAREWELL TO THE PRESS

Before the end of his term as President, Suleyman Demirel, yesterday organized his last press meeting at the Cankaya Palace. During the meeting, which a number of journalists attended, President Demirel didn't give a definite reply to questions concerning the aftermath of May 16. He stressed that he would continue to serve the country as a free citizen. /Hurriyet/

DEMIREL: "IF THERE IS CONCRETE EVIDENCE, NECESSARY STEPS WILL BE TAKEN"

President Suleyman Demirel stated that the solution of the Ugur Mumcu and Ahmet Taner Kislali assasinations were an honour of the State. Recalling that there were suspicions of Iranian support in both of the murders, Demirel emphasized that if concrete evidence could be obtained, the State would take the necessary steps. /Aksam/

TANTAN URGES PATIENCE IN 'HOPE' OPERATION

Minister of the Interior, Sadettin Tantan, held a press conference at the Prime Ministry yesterday and summed up developments to date in Operation Hope, a police investigation into the Mumcu murder, the Anatolia News Agency reports. He said that investigations were still proceeding in secret. Tantan did not comment on whether the reports concerning the capture of Ahmet Taner Kislali's killers were true or not, but said that investigations were on-going and added he would make a statement when the time was right. Meanwhile, security forces have found the second ammunition-store in the Sincan district of Ankara. Officials are now trying to find out where these arms including weapons, pistols and C-4 explosives are coming from.

IRANIAN PRESS: "PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOLVED BY THE COUNCIL"

The 'Iran Daily' newspaper, which is published by the Iranian official news agency, IRNA, defended the idea that the bilateral problems of Iran and Turkey should be solved by the related councils. General Director of the IRNA, Feridun Verdinejad, issued an editorial in which it was stated, "Some circles of interest do not miss any opportunities to destroy the relations betwen Turkey and Iran and sometimes put the political and economic relations of the two countries on the threshold of damage. Tehran thinks that the tactical problems and other difficulties such as the differences in the political preferences and the need for the security of the border, can easily be solved through the diplomatic channels." /Cumhuriyet/

ECEVIT MEETS FORMER US SENATOR

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit held a meeting with former US senator Stephan Solarz yesterday at the Prime Ministry. Recent regional issues concerning Turkey were discussed during the meeting which was closed to the press. Internal and external developments were also touched on. /All papers/

CAKMAKOGLU: "THERE COULD BE NO EUROPEAN SECURITY WITHOUT TURKEY"

National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu who has attended the meeting of the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the WEU said that there could be no European security without Turkey. European defence without Turkey has been attempted in the past, however, without success, Cakmakoglu added. He stated that Turkey was a very important country with regards to its military power. /Milliyet/

TURKISH AIR FORCE MARTYRS REMEMBERED

Air Force members of all ranks who died while on duty were remembered yesterday in a ceremony at Cebeci Cemetery attended by Gen.Ergin Celasin and National Security Council (NSC) General-Secretary Cumhur Asparuk. Speeches were made in the name of the Turkish Aviation Board and the Turkish Airlines' Pilots Association. Messages from Chief of General Staff Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu and Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu were also read at the commemoration. Celasin stated in his speech that the Turkish Air Force is the pride of the Turkish people and added that the country owed much to those who died on duty. Celasin also said that the martyrs' efforts had played a great role in developing the Turkish Air Force and allowing the institution to achieve world standards. /All papers/

INVESTMENT PERIOD IN INDUSTRY

The Head of the Executive Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Husamettin Kavi said that the downward trend in the interest rates were behind the increase in investments in industry. Kavi evaluated the Turkish industry for the first four months of this year and stated that further steps needed to be taken in the struggle against inflation. He added, "We have to be patient. Investments will increase in the second half of this year and the year 2001". /Turkiye/

SUCCESS OF THE TURKISH DIPLOMAT

A Turkish diplomat has been elected the Head of the UN-NGO Committee, responsible for the relations among the non-governmental organizations (NGOs). During the election for the Committee, which consists of 19 countries, Levent Bilman, Turkish Undersecretary of the UN Permanent Representative Office, became the Head of the Committee for two years by receiving the votes of all countries during the election yesterday. /Turkiye/

KOBIs: NEW FAVOURITE OF THE BANKS

The Small- and Medium-Scale Enterprises (KOBIs) which constitute 38 % of the Gross National Product (GNP) of Turkey have been relieved with regards to loans from the economic stability package. The KOBIs, which have hardly received loans from the banks during the period of high inflation and interest rates, are now the favourite of the banks. The banks which believe that the stability programme is a lasting one are extending new incentives and loans to the KOBIs following a decrease in the interest rates and inflation. /Turkiye/

DELEGATIONS OF WORLD ECONOMY COMING TO TURKEY

Turkey will host delegations this week from three of the most influential international organizations. Officials from the World Bank, the IMF and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will be involved in these talks for two weeks. The Treasury Undersecretariat reported that economists from the IMF Turkey-Desk will start their examinations of developments in the Turkish economy between December 1999 and May 2000, starting today in Ankara. Official negotiations with Turkish officials will be set up on Wednesday. /All papers/

ONAL TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH WOLFENSOHN

State Minister Recep Onal stated that they will sign an agreement for the economic reform loan amounting to 750 million dollars with the Head of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, who will arrive in Turkey on 24 May. Onal added, "This loan will be given to Turkey in one month and then we will try to receive the financial sector credit amounting to 750 million dollars. This development will once more increase the international confidence in the Turkish economy." /Star/

SOUTHEASTERN REGION IMPROVES

The Southeastern region, which has suffered from terrorism, unemployment and economic problems for many years, is reviving. There is a revival in the industrial area and the construction of the Organized Industrial Region has been sped up to activate the factories as soon as possible. Akyil Textile Factory, which is the first textile factory of the Southeastern Region and which was established in 1997, began to export its goods to the European Union (EU) member countries. Akyil Textile Factory exports 45,000 t-shirts to Puma, a German sport wear brand, and established an export link with the British Metalan Company, for which it began to produce t-shirts under the brand of 'Zantos'. /Sabah/

PROFILO TELRA COOPERATES WITH NETGEM AND APF

Profilo Telra, which is one of the leading establishments of the Turkish electronic sector, is preparing to export its televisions with the internet technology to France. Profilo Telra, which made an agreement with the two French companies, is using the internet TV technology that was presented by the Netgem, one of the biggest internet firms in Europe. APF Company, which is an expert company in the sale strategies, will market these televisions in France. Netgem and Profilo Telra signed an agreement in Cannes last week and during the signing ceremony of the agreement, Deputy Chairman of Profilo Telran, Goksen Korezlioglu, issued a speech, saying, "Profilo Telra and Netgem, whose technological cooperation on the new communication channels was made possible by taking the developments in the electronic sector in the consideration, is aiming at providing consumers with the fastest and most readily available internet access at the most suitable price." /Sabah/

RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

During the World's Radiocommunication Conference, which continues in Istanbul and which was organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the issue was addressed of giving frequency to the new states that emerged after 1977 and allocation of additional frequency for the world's radio and television broadcasting. Chairman of the Telecommunication Council, Fatih Yurdal, stated that they had made an agreement in principle to find a solution for the problem of frequency allocation. Yurdal added, "Five channels for each of the countries within the ITU were allocated in 1977. We will decide whether or not to give five more channels to these countries." /Sabah/

TURKEY'S FIRST NON-METAL PLANE TO BE PRODUCED

A plane is being produced at a milking factory at Kayseri's First Organized Industrial Region thanks to the project sponsored by the Chairman of Kayseri's Industrial Chamber, Mustafa Capar. This plane, which is the project of three students at Erciyes University, Civilian Aviation Professional High School, will be the first non-metal plane of Turkey. The most important characteristic of this plane, which is of the Cosi Classic type and which will be exhibited in Istanbul on 24 May, is the fact that it is being made from 'compozit,' which is a combination of glass fibres and foam-rubber. /Star/

NATIONAL TOURISM COMPANIES' GROUP AND THE EUROPEAN ELG'S COOPERATION

National Tourism Companies' Group, is adding a new chain to its link of Princess Resort Hotels. The foundation of the five-star Princess World Bodrum holiday village, which will be cooperatively constructed by the European ELG and the National Tourism Companies' Group, was laid next week. Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz and the Minister of Tourism, Erkan Mumcu, also attended this foundation-laying ceremony. The Princess World Bodrum Holiday Village will have a capacity of 800 beds. /Star/

ZORLU HOLDING'S SUCCESS

Zorlu Holding Company, is preparing for opening its second company to the public after Vestel. Zorlu Energy and Electronic Production's Autoproducer Group Joint Stock Company, will open a part of its shares to the public with the system of the capital increase. Each of the shares will be open to the public for 17,000 TL on 17 and 18 May. Zorlu Energy Company signed the otoproducer agreements with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Recources in 1997 and completed its investments. Now it is meeting its facilities' and partners' need of energy and steam. This company had a net sale of 6 trillion TL during the first three months this year and had a net profit of 629 billion TL. /Star/

TREASURY SELLS BILLS AT 39.89 %

The Treasury sold TL 688 trillion worth of bills at an average compounded annual yield of 39.89 % against a total bid of TL 1.3 quadrillion. Nominal sales amounted to TL 748.2 trillion. The bills are value-dated for May 17 and will mature on August 16. /All papers/

MARKETS TO BE CLOSED ON MAY 19

The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) and the Istanbul Gold Bourse (IAB) will be closed on Friday due to the forthcoming one-day national holiday, according to statements released by the stock exchanges on Monday. In the share certificate market settlement of May 17 and 18, trading is scheduled for May 22 and 23, respectively. /All papers/

APPROVAL FOR QUALITY

State Minister Tunca Toskay stated that with the establishment of the Turkish Accrediation Institution (TURKAK), Turkish industrialists and exporters would not be dependent on the foreign institutions in order to prove the quality of their products from now on. Toskay attended the First Ordinary General Council meeting of the TURKAK organized by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) and said in his speech that the targets would be achieved when this institution is recognized in the international arena. DTM Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen said for his part that this institution should be functional as soon as possible. /Milliyet/

INTENSE SCHEDULE AT TGNA

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), which could not continue its legislation activities for a long period due to the presidential election, will work intensively beginning this week. The government is giving priority to the draft bills of student pardons, Regional Administration and the Radio and Television High Council (RTUK). /Cumhuriyet/

TRNC RECOGNIZED IN ROME

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is consistently unrecognized by any country other than Turkey, was represented during the meeting attended by 20 countries in the capital city of Italy, Rome. The representatives of the TRNC, Civil Engineering Chambers' Council and the representatives of the Greek-Cypriot Administration were also present at this meeting and everybody sat at the places where the names of their country were written with the approval of Portugal's current chairman. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH, THE SEVENTH MOST-SPOKEN OUT OF 7,000 WORLD LANGUAGES

In the concluding declaration of the "Turkish education in the international world" symposium hosted by the Ankara University's TOMER Langauge Training Centre on May 11-13 in Istanbul, it was announced that Turkish is the seventh-widest spoken of the world's 7,000 languages. The declaration stated that Turkish was not in the position it deserved and added that joint works should be carried out to improve the situation. It was decided at the end of the symposium that a "Turkish Educators' Union' be established and that another symposium be held on May 10-11, 2001. /All papers/

TURKISH JETS IN GREECE

The DYNAMIC MIX-2000, the biggest exercise in NATO's southern region in 2000, will begin on May 20. As part of the exercise, to be attended by 14 NATO member countries and last until June 10, Turkish jets will go to Greece on May 19 for the first time wince 1972. /Turkiye/

CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON TURKEY'S APPROACH TO RELIGIOUS COURSES IN GERMANY

A study conducted by the Centre for Research on Turkey (TAM), a group based in Germany, revealed that 64.6 % of Turkish people residing in Germany want Turkish to be used in Islamic instruction given in German schools, an issue which recently became one of the top items on that country's agenda. The study shows that the majority of Turks in Germany do not wish religious instruction to be monitored by an Islamic community established in Germany. /All papers/

AGCA ON ITALY'S AGENDA

The Vatican, which is the centre of the Catholic world, announced that its third secret was Mehmet Ali Agca's initiative to assasinate Pope Jean Paul II, which attracted much attentions in Italy. It was stated that these words from the Pope increased Agca's hopes of being released from prison. Prophet Maria appeared to the three shepherds in the Fatima town of Portugal in 1917 and gave them three secrets about the world and Pope Jean Paul II revealed the third of these secrets. Now the Italian press is wondering if Agca will be released. Agca talked to his advocate the day before and said, "I knew that I was used as a bait for the fortune of Fatima. Now I am sure of it." /Sabah/

SALIH MEMECAN IN THE AMERICAN PRESS

The 'New York Times', which is one of the most respected newspapers in the US, published Douglas Frantz's article entitled 'A Glimpse at the World in Turkey,' in which the caricaturist of 'Sabah' daily, Salih Memecan, and his works were described. In his article, Frantz pointed out that Salih Memecan, who lives in New York, was one of the most effective political caricaturists and created miracles in his work in spite of the long distance between Turkey and the US. Frantz added, "Memecan uses a simple and clear Turkish in his drawings, which are also used by the students of the Princeton University, who began to learn Turkish. Professor Eriko Gilson, who is a Turkish lecturer at Princeton University, considers Memecan to be a good sketch artist, whose drawings can be understood easily. We are showing Salih Memecan's cartoons to our students in order to explain and discuss the social and political issues in Turkey." /Sabah/

TERIM: "WE'LL GET THE CUP"

Turkish football team Galatasaray flew to Copenhagen to face the British team Arsenal in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday. Galatasaray's coach Fatih Terim said, "We will do everything possible to get the Cup." While thousands of Turks in Europe are coming to Copenhagen to watch the match, 12 thousand Galatasaray fans from Turkey are also coming. The referee of the play is Spanish, Antonia Lopez Nieto. /Hurriyet/

INDIAN HEMP SEIZED

During search activities carried out in the State of Emergency Rule Region (OHAL), security forces seized 360 thousand of roots of Indian hemp which were planted by the PKK. It is stated that in the aftermath of the capture of the terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK which fell into financial straits, directed itself toward production of drugs. /Aksam/

BLACK SEA THEATER FESTIVAL

The First International Black Sea Theater Festival is beginning today. The festival, lasting until May 24, will be held in Trabzon. Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, the Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Georgia and Turkey will participate in the festival. /Cumhuriyet/

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

TOWARDS THE LIGHT BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the results achieved by the Minister of the Interior, Sadettin Tantan, in the investigation operation he conducted to solve the unsolved murder cases of Mumcu and Kislali. A summary of his column is as follows: "An American expert has stated that Turkey is in the midst of cleaning its house. However, today a more radical cleaning is taking place. Ahmet Taner Kislali's murderers were detained following the apprehension of Ugur Mumcu's murderers. The dark powers abroad which wanted to destroy the Turkish State in the name of religion and their tools within the country are collapsing one by one. Their secret plans, weaponry, arsenals are discovered one after the other. A high ranking general expressed his gratitude for Tantan's efforts and stated that he was determined to solve all the murders which had humiliated Turkey before the world. Turkish state was not only humiliated in the eyes of the world but also in the eyes of its own citizens. The darkness we were in was being used to accuse the State. People were losing trust in the State. It became apparent that there was a 'Deep State' but it was that of Iran. The Minister of the Interior pointed to two factors. He asked the public to be patient in learning of those 'spies of influence' and not to approach the issue only as the resolution of unsolved murder cases. He is trying to explain that the picture in front of us is that of a plot supported from abroad. The solved murder cases are clarifying this picture and every new piece of evidence stresses the role of Iran in this sinister plan. The spies of influence are the people who supported this plan by exploiting religion and served Iran's purposes consciously or just for the sake of opposing secularism. These can be seen in the press, politics, business world, the police and schools. We believe that Tantan will be successful in achieving results as he is supported by a strong and determined government."

NEW MISSION FOR DEMIREL BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on President Demirel's term of and office and what he can do in the future. A summary of his column is as follows: The active role President Suleyman Demirel has played in foreign relations and his contributions will have an important place in the history of Turkish foreign policy as he will turn over his duties to Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Demirel has known how to use his experience, capabilities and influence in foreign and domestic politics, to occasionally direct foreign policy in order to fill the vacuum created by weak and instable governments. The Turkish system recognizes a limited function for the president in foreign policy.However, within his authority, and with the help of the advisors he has selected, Demirel did not hesitate to use his initiative, and spent a great deal of his time and energy to improve Turkey's foreign relations. Demirel's role in the Balkans, Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East has made him a respected world leader. During the press conference he held yesterday he suggested that Turkey should review its own administrative structure during the harmonization work to be carried out for the EU. He also added that Turkey should rid itself of all its shortcomings in democracy, respect for human rights and the supremacy of law. In fact, the message he has given should be adopted as a State policy. The only problem is how quickly the Government can act on it. There is no doubt that Sezer who will take over the duties of the President today will work to achieve all he can within the framework of this policy. However, it is also certain that the new President does not have the experience of Demirel. Therefore, in the new period, it is expected that the Presidential Palace will keep a low profile and foreign policy will be directed mostly by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, we have to make use of Demirel's experience and influence in foreign relations. Demirel's international fame, charisma and energy are ideal credentials for missions in foreign policy or world politics. He himself will probably prefer to undertake such missions. That is why news regarding Demirel's chairmansip of the Turco-European Foundation established to produce new strategies for Turkey's integration with the EU is pleasing."

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