LEADERS' SUMMIT

The leaders of the coalition parties met for three hours yesterday and decided to gradually limit the currently unlimited state guarantee for bank accounts. The leaders also decided that non-guaranteed deposits at the collapsed offshore banks be compensated by the state. Speaking at a press conference at the end of the summit with coalition partners Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said state compensation to deposit-holders at the collapsed offshore banks, however, will not cover all deposits. The Prime Minister said only deposits up to TL 20 billion would be compensated. Ecevit also disclosed that he and his coalition partners had decided to handle the draft amending the law on the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) at the first meeting of the Cabinet. /All papers/

BUMIN ELECTED NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

Mustafa Bumin was elected as the new Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, a post vacated by Ahmet Necdet Sezer upon his election as President. Bumin was elected ruing a 25-minute Constitutional Court Council meeting. /All papers/

TSK IN SEARCH AND RESCUE BUSINESS

The Natural Disaster Search and Rescue Battalion (DAK), which was formed to operate under the guidance of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), demonstrated manoeuvres for the public in a ceremony held by the TSK. Speaking at the ceremony, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said, "I am happy to see such a project being put into effect". /All papers/

COUGAR HELICOPTER DELIVERED

The first AS-532 Cougar helicopter to be domestically produced at Turkish Aviation and Space Industry (TAI) facilities in a joint venture with France's Eurocopter, was delivered to the Turkish Land Forces Command yesterday. Following all the speeches by high-level officials, the helicopter was put through its paces on a demonstration flight. /All papers/

PARRIS VISITS HAKKARI

The US Ambassador to Turkey Mark Parris and a delegation accompanying him visited Hakkari yesterday. Parris and the delegation were welcomed in Hakkari by Governor Orhan Isin. Isin informed Parris about the problems of Hakkari and gave a briefing on a dam to be constructed in Hakkari by a US company. Parris stated that the US delegation's visit to the region was a reflection of the region's development and added that he was very happy to be in Hakkari. Parris also visited Hakkari State Hospital to present several tons of medical supplies donated by the US European Command (EUCOM). /All papers/

SOLANA IN ANKARA

The Turkish Foreign Ministry will reportedly bring Turkey's concerns over the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) to the agenda of its current meeting with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Commissioner and WEU Secretary-General Javier Solana who arrived in Ankara yesterday for a one-day official visit. Apart from his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Solana will engage in a series of high-level contacts in Ankara. /All papers/

COTTARELLI WARNS OF WIDENING CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT

IMF Turkey-Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli said that extra measures might be needed in case the current account deficit widens further in April and May. Cottarelli stressed that the balance of payment is critical to the government's disinflation program. Hence a value-added tax on imports and luxury consumption goods sold on the domestic market might be increased, officials said. Cottarelli suggested that telecom sell-off receipts should go into the budget this year so that the consolidated government budget deficit does not exceed program targets. /All papers/

TREASURY TO BORROW UP TO TL 1.7 QUADRILLION

The Treasury will hold two auctions in order to borrow between TL 1.2 quadrillion and TL 1.7 quadrillion in June against a total domestic debt of TL 2.2 quadrillion, the Treasury said in its monthly borrowing program yesterday. The Treasury will hold both auctions on June 6 and sell two-year and 14-month bonds. /All papers/

DOGAN, KOC IN JOINT CABLE TV VENTURE

Turkish conglomerates Dogan and Koc are aiming to provide a variety of cable services after having increased their stake in cable company Ultra Kablolu TV ve Telekomunikasyon Tic. A.S. to 50 %. Ultra presently provides analog TV broadcast and Internet access to 165,000 subscribers. After a restructuring which is underway, the company will deliver digital TV, radio broadcast, cable phone and video conference services. /All papers/

BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT

Agreements concerning the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project which will carry Azerbaijani oil to Western markets were approved by the Georgian Parliament yesterday. The Azerbaijani Parliament has previously ratified the agreements. Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagarishvili said that the project constituted a guarantee for peace and stability in the region, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

HIGH-LEVEL FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS IN GAP REGION

High-level officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry will arrive in the Southeast Region to observe the investments in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and visit the historic and touristic sites. According to information received from the GAP Regional Development Administration, a 60-people delegation consisting of high-level Foreign Ministry officials will initially visit Diyarbakir and then Mardin, Sanliurfa, Adiyaman and Gaziantep. Their visit will end on June 5, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

MINISTER OF BREMEN IN ISTANBUL

The Governor of Istanbul Erol Cakir gave a reception yesterday in honour of the Minister of the Bremen State in Germany Responsible for Interior Affairs, Culture and Sports, Bernt Schulte, who has arrived in Turkey as the official guest of Turkish Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan. Cakir stated that in addition to the discussion on security matters, the visit would also strengthen relations between the two countries. Cakir said that they would try to further develop cooperation between Turkey and Germany in the fields of economy, culture and tourism. Schulte said for his part that he was very pleased to be in Istanbul and pointed out the importance of the continuation of cooperation between the two countries, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

TURCO-IRAQI RELATIONS

The 'Al-Tavre' newspaper published in Iraq wanted the border trade between Turkey and Iraq to be revived. An article in the newspaper stated that Turkey had suffered $50 billion in losses due to the embargo imposed on Iraq. The newspaper pointed out that the Turkish government should review the laws concerning the border trade between the two countries, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

DELEGATION FROM THE US

The US Consulate in Istanbul, has invited the Turkish investors, who want to engage in new enterprises in order to meet the American Franchise Delegation, which will be in Istanbul on 22 and 23 June. The delegation comprises these companies: A and W Restaurants, Mail Boxes Etc. Company dealing in packaging, post and bureau equipment, New Horizons Company, a computer education establishment, Partyland Company, Perma Glaze Company, Floorastic Company and Sign-A-Rama Company. /Hurriyet/

GIRITLI RECEIVES TWO HONORARY AWARDS

Prof.Ismet Giritli, an editor in the daily 'Turkiye' newspaper, took his place among the leading people, who are famous with their successes in their own countries. The Cambridge International Biography Centre included Giritli in his work entitled 'Outstanding People of the 20th Century'. In addition, the American Biographical Institute published Giritli's biography and his photograph in its publication entitled 'Leading Intellectuals of the World'. /Turkiye/

AGREEMENT ON BORDER TRADE

Nearly 150 Turkish businessmen, chaired by the Foreign Trade Undersecretary, Kursad Tuzmen, have been holding meetings in Tehran for five days and said that they have been viewing the Iranian market as very promising. Kursad Tuzmen, in a statement to the daily 'Turkiye', said, "Iranian officials told me that they were very pleased with our visit. We also made a border agreement with Iran. Turkish and Iranian businessmen decided that a businessmen's council will also be established. There has been very positive developments concerning the border trade. We reached an agreement with Iranian officials that Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey will meet and solve the problems concerning the border trade." /Turkiye/

ORGANIZATION FOR ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC)

Turkey is continuing its lobbying activities launched for the General Secretary of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC). The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, has wanted the Arab countries to support Turkey's candidate, Ambassador Yasar Yakis, for the General Secretariat of IKO. Cem delivered a speech, saying, "Turkey's relations with the Arab countries constitute one of the basic elements of the Turkish foreign policy. We have been trying hard to develop our relations with the Arab countries for the last three years. Then the misunderstandings between the parties are over. The improvement in political relations brought economic cooperation. Also the economic activity in the region will positively contribute to peace and stability." /Cumhuriyet/

NARCOTICS OPERATION

During the operations which have been held at Ataturk Airport since the beginning of the year, 40.8 kilos of heroin and 3.5 kilos of Indian hemp were seized. During the above-mentioned period of time, a total of 31 people, 13 of whom are foreigners and accused of carrying narcotics, were detained. /Cumhuriyet/

COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKISH AND GERMAN SECURITY FORCES

The 13th mutual meeting between the Directorate General of Security and the German Federal Criminal Department (BKA) was held in Ankara. General Director of Security, Turan Genc, and the Chairman of BKA, Ulrich Kersten, signed the agreement of cooperation. Genc stated that the security organizations in all the countries should cooperate in order to fight against crimes. Genc added, "In fact the Turkish and German security organizations have already signed more than one security cooperation agreement. During these meetings, we discussed the implementation of these agreements". /Cumhuriyet/

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT TO BE LIFTED IN 2001

The Prime Ministry's Human Rights Coordinator High Council has determined the date when the necessary precautions will be taken under the light of Copenhagen criteria on the path to be an EU member. Within this framework, it was envisaged that the capital punishment will be lifted by the end of the year 2001. A draft report was prepared by the coordination of the Higher Council, with the support of the representatives from the General Staff, National Security Council and the State Planning Organization. In this report, the amendments that were made and that should be made in the Constitution and in the other laws were listed. In addition, in this report, a time-table for these amendments was suggested to the government and to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). This draft report will take its final form during the meeting to be attended by the Higher Council, other Ministries and the representatives of the General Staff and the National Security Council next week and will be presented to the TGNA. /Milliyet/

DEMIR SABANCI: "BELGIUM IS VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS"

Demir Sabanci has criticized Belgium's stance concerning Fehriye Erdal. Sabanci in a written statement in Brussels, said, "The process of trial concerning the murder of three people, including my father, was interrupted due to the fact that Belgium rejected the extradition of Fehriye Erdal to Turkey. Now the reason why Erdal participated in the assassination will not be uncovered. Belgium rejected the demand for extradition and, thus, violated the 2nd Article of the European Court of Human Rights, in which it is stated that it is the right of the States to protect the rights of the people." /Milliyet/

TURK TICARET BANK'S SUCCESS

General Director of Turk Ticaret Bank, Zafer Kulturlu, stated that they had gained a profit of 5.4 trillion TL in April despite the earthquake tax amounting to 12.1 trillion TL was paid. He added that the bank's total of assets increased by 83% when compared with the same period last year. /Star/

HUGE INVESTMENT BY TELSIM

Telsim, which strengthened its GSM network thanks to its investments throughout Turkey, integrated its 20th main terminal to the system in Erzurum with an investment of 9 trillion TL. Thus, Telsim transferred an investment of 9 trillion TL to the Eastern Anatolia and carried out one of the highest investments in this region. /Star/

KAZAKH MAGAZINE PRAISES TURKEY

The 'Kontinent' magazine published in Kazakhstan praised Turkish tourism and said that the cleanest coasts were in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. The magazine stated that the earthquake disasters and the terrorist activities experienced last year were not frigthening tourists anymore and added that this year Turkey would be the country preferred by foreign tourists, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

YILMAZ CONGRATULATES PROF.SENGOR

The Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz has congratulated Prof.Celal Sengor, a lecturer at the Geology Department of the Mining Faculty of the Istanbul Technical University. Prof.Sengor has been elected a member of the US National Science Academy. Yilmaz in his message expressed his pleasure over his election, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

E-COMMERCE, BANKING AND FINANCE CONFERENCE

The first one of a series of economic conferences organized by the Bogazici University and the 'Finance World' magazine will be held in Istanbul on June 2-3. During the conference, the future of the banking sector, Internet banking in Turkey and in the world and security issues will be discussed. /sabah/

STATE BANKS TO BE PRIVATIZED THROUGH PUBLIC OFFERINGS

State Minister Responsible for the Treasury Recep Onal said that state banks would be privatized through public offerings in order to beef up their capital resources. For the privatization of state banks the government is not considering block sales or any other method employed by the Privatization Administration Board (OIB), Onal said. /All papers/

TRANS-CASPIAN GAS PIPELINE NOT READY BEFORE 2006

Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Petroleum Company Vakeh Alekserov has said that the Trans-Caspian natural gas pipeline cannot be completed before 2006. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Alekserov said that even if all the problems plaguing the project were solved immediately, the project could not be completed within the following six years. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem put the pipeline project, which starts in Turkmenistan, at the top of his agenda. Cem announced that Turkmen President Niyazov, Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Turkey were in agreement over the amount of gas to be exported to Turkey. /All papers/

NO GATEWAY TO IRAN

Turkey will help Israel to prevent possible terrorist attacks by Hizbullah against Israel. According to the Israeli Radio, Turkey will control Iranian airplanes going to Syria. The radio stated that Israel and the US wanted Turkey to control if Iranian aircraft were carrying weapons for the Hizbullah terrorist organization. It is reported that Turkey has accepted this request. /Aksam/

TERIM IN FIORENTINA

Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim has been transferred to the Italian Fiorentina team. The Italian press devoted wide coverage to the transfer of Fatih Terim and stated that the transfer was welcomed by the Italian people. /All papers/

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

WHO IS TO BLAME? BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)

Columnist Oktay Eksi comments on the decision by the Belgian Court not to extradite Fehriye Erdal, a suspect in three murder cases, to Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "Finally, Belgium has announced that it will not extradite Fehriye Erdal, an accomplice of the terrorist organization. Thus, it not only protected a member of a gang which murdered three people but also took a stand against justice and 'the right to live' which is considered to be the most sacred of rights. It is paradoxical for the Belgian Government to ignore the innocent people's right to live for the life of the murderer. In fact, so long as Turkey does not abolish capital punishment inherent in its laws, many other Fehriyes or their accomplices will be recognized the right to live in other countries. Therefore, we do not have much to say against countries who come up with this excuse. However, we cannot help but ask if industrialist Ozdemir Sabanci, his associate Haluk Gorgun and secretary Nilgun Hasefe did not have any right to live? Let's say that we understood the excuse put forth by Belgium that there is capital punishment in Turkey. But will not it find itself as a 'state protecting terrorists' if it grants political asylum to Fehriye Erdal. Not only Belgium but also France found itself as a state protecting terrorists when it caught and released the leader of DHKP-C, a murder gang, Dursun Karatas with the same excuse. Although they may not extradite those accused of terrorism, these countries should try them. However, particularly the European States are avoiding such trials. According to information we received, in an international conference entitled 'Prevention of Crimes and the Criminals' held in Vienna, Deputy Undersecretary of the Justice Ministry Seref Unal criticized these implementations before the representatives of 185 countries. He birefly stated that some countries became the heaven of terrorists or ordinary criminals by not extraditing them. 'Some even granted them asylum and thus gave them guarantees. Even though international agreements regarding the fight against terrorism require that the criminal who is not extradited should be tried in the country where he or she lives, some countries just ignored this. That is to say, they neither extradited or tried them. Some states just evaded the basic principle of law, that is to say loyalty to agreements.' We have experienced such an event with France concerning Dursun Karatas, with England concerning the PKK member Faysal Dunlayici, with Italy on Abdullah Ocalan in October 1998 but did not learn anything from these incidents. Only Russia and Albania had capital punishment in Europe and even they abolished it. We still have not taken a step regarding the matter."

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