NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING

During the National Security Council (NSC), chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the first time, particularly Iran's connection with the unsolved murders, due to the UMUT operation carried out by Turkish police, was discussed. During the NSC, it was decided that a diplomatic breakthrough will be launched against Iran. It was further stated that the National Intelligence Service (MIT) Undersecretary, Senkal Atasagun, said that three separate evaluations were made by the Minister of the Interior, Sadettin Tantan and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was added that Tantan had presented the documents and information which were obtained from the UMUT operation to the members of the Council. /Milliyet/

LEADERS' SUMMIT

The leaders of the coalition parties will hold a meeting today. The meeting to be attended by Prime Minister and Chairman of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli and Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz will begin at 02:30 p.m. at the central building of the Prime Ministry. /All papers/

SOLANA TO VISIT TURKEY

The Commissioner of the EU Common Defence and Foreign Policy and the Secretary-General of the WEU, Javier Solana, will arrive in Turkey today as the official guest of Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Cem and Solana will discuss the issues such as the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), Turco-EU relations and Turco-Greek relations. Solana will leave Turkey on Thursday, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

MIRZAOGLU RETURNS FROM TRNC

State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu said that search and rescue (SAR) stations would be established along the coasts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) next year such as those along the southern coasts of Turkey. Mirzaoglu who has attended the opening of the TRNC Representation of the Turkish Standard Institute (TSE) and held a series of contacts in the TRNC returned to Turkey yesterday. Mirzaoglu stated that they hoped they would receive positive results from their initiatives concerning maritime issues in the near future, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

PKK AND TASNAK TERRORISTS HOLD MEETING

Armenian terrorist organization TASNAK, known around the world for its anti-Turkish activities, held a meeting on May 21 in Hakurk, northern Iraq. During the meeting, which was reportedly attended by the so-called Executive Board of the PKK terrorist organization and representatives of TASNAK, the PKK terrorists extended their gratitude to Armenia for support of activities against the Republic of Turkey. The PKK maintained, however, that this support was inadequate. The PKK also stated that all actions by the Armenians were fully supported by the PKK and that the PKK had participated in every one of the so-called Armenian genocide commemorations held in 16 separate countries. /All papers/

FP: "SEZER SHOULD GO TO IRAN"

Virtue Party (FP) Chairman Recai Kutan said that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer should definitely attend the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit, which is set to be held in Tehran. Noting that countries from the Caucasus and Central Asia would also be attending the summit, Kutan stated that the president's presence was important in the sense that it would show Turkey's moral support for these countries. /All papers/

FORD TO HELP EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

The foundations of 116 permanent houses, which will be built by Ford Motor Company and Ford Otosan for 2.5 million dollars, were laid in Golcuk, which had suffered serious damages following the earthquake in the Marmara Region. A foundation-laying ceremony attended by the Chairman of Ford Europe, David Thursfield, was held. The houses will be delivered to the earthquake victims on 1 November. This ceremony was also attended by the General Director of Ford Otosan, Mark Schulz, Sub-Governor of Golcuk, Kemal Karadag, Mayor of Golcuk, Ismail Baris, officials from Koc Holding and by citizens in Golcuk. /Hurriyet/

KOC HOLDING COOPERATES WITH THE BRITISH TAG ENTERPRISES COMPANY

Koc Holding established a joint-company with the British TAG Enterprises Company to sell and distribute the tickets of the sportive, cultural and entertainment activities in Europe. This company was called 'Biletix Ticket Distribution, Publishing and Trade Joint Stock Company.' This company will also provide information on all sorts of sports, cultural activities and entertainment. Both of the partners have equal shares in this company, the capital of which totals 600 billion dollars. Ali Koc, Levent Zagra, Kadri Onel, Ali Abhary and Dawe William Rodner were appointed to the Executive Board of the company. /Hurriyet/

GEORGIA'S STATEMENT CONCERNING BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE

Georgia has stated that the suggestion to link the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline to Russia through a parallel line was not in contradiction with the agreements signed with Turkey. Chairman of Georgia's International Petroleum Company, George Canturya, who put forth this suggestion, said that his aim was to increase the amount of oil that will be carried via Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. Canturya recalled, "I previously suggested that the pipeline to carry Turkmen gas to Turkey should be linked to Russian natural gas system. Thus, the above-mentioned pipelines will be turned into more profitable investments and these suggestions are not in contradiction with the agreements that were signed by Georgia with Turkey and Azerbaijan." /Milliyet/

HEROIN SEIZED IN HAKKARI

As a result of the operations held by Hakkari's Directorate of Security's Department of Struggle Against Organized Crime and by the police of Istanbul, 431 kilos of heroin amounting to 10 trillion TL were seized. In addition, 18 people were taken into custody concerning the incident. /Turkiye/

INCREASE IN TURCO-GREEK TRADE VOLUME

It is reported that there has been an important increase in the Turco-Greek trade volume in recent years. A statement by the Office of the Chairman of the Salonica Chamber of Trade said that the total trade volume between the two countries increased by 147% between the years 1994 and 1998 and rose from 259 million ECU to 639 million ECU. The statement remarked that there has been a continuous increase in the trade volume between Turkey and Greece and the trade volume only during the first 10 months of 1999 was 507 million ECU. Following a protocol signed between the Bursa Chamber of Trade and Salonica Chamber of Trade and Industry (SCTI), the Chairman of the SCTI Dimitrios Bakacelos will pay an official visit to Turkey between May 31 and June 4. During his visit, cooperation also in the fields of infrastructure, tourism, transportation and joint investments will be discussed, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

TOURISM MINISTER IN HANNOVER

Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu went to Hannover, Germany, yesterday to attend the opening of the EXPO World Fair to be held on June 1. Mumcu who was welcomed by Turkish Consul-General in Hannover, Ahmet Akses, at the Hannover Airport, visited the Turkish stand at the fair, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

TUZMEN MEETS HUCCETI

Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen met Iranian Minister of Transport Mahmud Hucceti yesterday. Tuzmen stated that during the meeting, he had said that Turkey was ready to cooperate with Iran in the areas of agriculture, energy and gas pipelines. Tuzmen pointed out that with the mutual investments to be made by Turkish and Iranian companies in free trade zones, powerful ties could be established between the two countries. The Co-Chairman of the Turco-Iranian Joint Economic Commission, Hucceti, said for his part that if the railway transportation between the two countries was strengthened, problems stemming from highway transportation could be easily overcome, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

GREEK VISA RESTRICTIONS ON TURKISH JOURNALISTS

Efforts made by the Turkish and Greek Journalists' Contact Group to expand the dialogue between journalists from the two countries have been stifled by visa restrictions imposed on Turkish journalists attending a contact group meeting in Rhodes. A Press Council statement said that journalists from Greece, Turkey and especially Rhodes attended the contact group meeting hosted by the Mayor of Rhodes, George Yannopoulos. Also present were local administrators and representatives from non-governmental organizations and the tourism sector. A statement published at the meeting called upon the Greek government to take up the issue so that it would no longer request visas from Turks. /All papers/

CANADA ASSURES GREECE ABOUT TURKISH NUCLEAR PLANT SAFETY

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien assured Greek President Costis Stefanopoulos about the safety of the construction of Turkey's nuclear power plant if Canada wins the bid for the plant's construction. Chretien said that a Canadian-built nuclear power plant will be in a quake-safe zone. In return, Stefanopoulos expressed his pleasure with the Canadian Prime Minister's safety guarantee. /All papers/

GRAIN PRICES LIKELY TO RISE 28%

The government will very likely increase wheat support prices by 28% to TL 102,000 per ton. The IMF and the World Bank have found the proposed rise reasonable and in compliance with economic program targets. The Agriculture Ministry will discuss grain support prices with a visiting IMF delegation and is expected to complete the matter by Friday when the Cabinet is scheduled to have its regular weekly meeting. /All papers/

TURKEY GIVES POSITIVE SIGNALS

A report entitled 'Economic Outlook' published by the OECD based in Paris said that the Turkish economy was giving positive signals. The report recalled that Turkey had suffered two earthquakes in 1999 and had been adversely affected by the financial crisis in the world and said that the Turkish economy began to overcome these difficulties. The report added that the interest rates were decreasing and an improvement in production was expected within two years. /Cumhuriyet/

PARRIS: "SOUTHEAST HAS STARTED TO RETURN TO NORMAL"

During his visit to the Education Volunteers' Foundation in Van, the US Ambassador to Ankara, Mark Parris, said that eastern and southeastern regions have finally started to return to normal, adding that the US had always provided assistance for Turkey in its prolonged struggle against terrorism and was the country that gave Turkey the most support. /Turkish Daily News/

TURKEY DESIRES MORE TRADE WITH ALGERIA

State Minister Hasan Gemici has suggested that part of the revenue from Turkey's purchase of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Algeria be used to finance export and construction projects by Turkish companies in Algeria. Gemici told the Turkish-Algerian Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) that there is great potential in economic and commercial relations between Algeria and Turkey, due to their geographic location. He said the legal framework for commercial and economic relations was almost complete. Gemici said that in response to intense demands from Turkish businessmen in Algeria, Turkiye Halk Bankasi had launched efforts to open a branch in Algeria. "Opening a bank branch in Algeria will increase the number of joint ventures" he said. /All papers/

IS BANK EYES AT LEAST $500 MILLION PROFIT THIS YEAR

Is Bank General Manager Ersin Ozince said the bank aims to achieve last year's profit level in 2000. "We posted $500 million profits in 1999. This year's profit should not stay below that level" Ozince told reporters in Antalya on Monday. "However, our priority is not profit, but an equality in competition terms in the industry" Ozince said. He added that Is Bank would continue to invest in technology. /All papers/

OMAN TO AWARD TURKISH FIRM

Oman is due to sign a $12.8 milion rials ($33 million) contract with Turkey's STFA Construction Company to build two liquid berths for its port in the North, a port official said yesterday. "We are going to sign a contract with STFA Construction next week to build the two berths at the Sohar port" the official said, adding that construction work was expected to start in August. /Turkish Daily News/

END EXPECTED TO TSK'S ATTACK HELICOPTER TENDER

As the Undersecretariat for the Defence Industry's (SSM) multi-billion dollar attack helicopter bid approaches its end, lobbying activities from the competing countries have intensified. After Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov's visit, Israeli Deputy Defence Minister Ephraim Sne also came to Ankara to lobby for the joint Russian-Israeli Erdogan helicopter project competing in the $4 billion tender. The attack helicopter tender envisages Turkey's co-production of 145 helicopters with the bid winner, including an initial batch of 50 helicopters for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). The bid is expected to cost a total of $2 billion. /Turlkish Daily News/

ALTINOK RECEIVES AWARD

The Turco-Azerbaijani Friendship Organization gave the Mayor of Kecioren, Turgut Altinok, the Plaque of Appreciation and the Award of Service due to his contributions to strengthening unity and solidarity among the Turkish people. During the ceremony, organized at Ataturk Higher Council for Culture, Language and History, Altinok received his award from the Chairman of the Turco-Azerbaijani Friendship Organization, Muzaffer Ozdogan. /Turkiye/

JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL (JCI)

The Junior Chamber International's (JCI) Bogazici Department, an international youth organization, attended a seminar entitled the 'Opportunities Ensured by the New Economy For the Enterpreneurs' in Istanbul and examined the business opportunities in the new economy. Experts from companies, such as Lucent Technologies, HP Turkey, Cisco System Turkey and Nokia Turkey gave information on the different dimensions of the new economy. /Turkiye/

TURGUTREIS IN JAPAN

Turgutreis, a modern frigate of the Turkish Naval Forces, arrived in Japan in order to attend ceremonies to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ertugrul disaster in the city of Kushimoto in Japan on 3 June. Turgutreis frigate, which also serves as the flagship of the Turkish Naval Forces in Bosnia, departed from Golcuk on 24 April. Turgutreis initially visited the Portsaid Harbour in Egypt, Jibuti, Madras Harbour in India and Singapore Harbour and finally arrived in Japan yesterday morning. /Hurriyet/

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

TO BE DROWNED IN TRIVIAL ITEMS BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

Gungor Mengi comments on the trivial matters waiting to be solved by the Government after dealing with important matters. A summary of his column is as follows: "President Clinton had stated that the role Turkey will define for herself will determine the fate of the world in the 21st century. There are other signs which support this view such as the candidacy to EU membership, and being admitted among the G-20s. Turkey is fighting against the diseases stemming from rapid transformation. It is lucky for Turkey to have such a government in power. The determined stance by the Government has played a significant role in the success reached during the fight against the separatist and reactionary terrorism in addition to the measures taken in the awareness of the weaknesses of the State. For example, the recent operations against terrorism and financial corruption were all directed from the centre as the local administrators could not struggle properly against these illegal acts due to their political and financial interests. The State has to ged rid of administrators who are not fulfilling their duties properly, and who are not credible besides bringing a spirit of teamwork into bureaucracy. The Istanbul State Security Court had to postpone its last session concerning the Turkbank tender and the accusations of forming a gang as the tapes in question could not be found. As the audio tapes covering Erol Evcil's confessions could not be deciphered, the session had to be postponed! This is scandalous. We have to learn not to be drowned in trivia achieving success in significant matters. "

OLD ISSUES