SEZER BIDS FAREWELL TO ASSAD

The period of Hafez Assad for thirty years came to an end in Syria with the funeral that was held yesterday. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who attended the funeral and thus, made a gesture to Syria, was warmly welcomed by Assad's son, Besshar. Besshar, who met Sezer and wanted his and the accompanying Turkish delegation to be treated specially, said, "Your visit is very important for us. We hope to see you again." Meanwhile, Sezer, who paid his first visit abroad by visiting Damasacus, gave the message that Turkey and Syria should solve the problems in their relations and build them on a firm basis." /Aksam, Cumhuriyet/

AGCA BROUGHT TO TURKEY

Mehmet Ali Agca, who killed the famous journalist, Abdi Ipekci, of 'Milliyet' daily and who attempted to assasinate Pope 2nd Jean Paul, was extradited to Turkey as soon as he was forgiven by Italy. The notorious terrorist, who was brought to Turkey after 21 years, was put in Kartal Prison. The process of extradition started when Pope Jean Paul II surprisingly forgave Mehmet Ali Agca after 19 years. Then, the Italian President Carlo Azeglio pardoned Agca on 13 May 1981. A special team went to Italy to bring Agca, who was forgiven by the Italian President, to Turkey. Agca is expected to be tried today. /Aksam/

CILLER GOES TO SUPREME COURT

The commission, investigating the allegations of the True Path Party (DYP) Leader Tansu Ciller for mishandling of slush fund, decided to send her to Supreme Court for trial with nine to five votes. /Turkiye/

AMENDMENT ON CONSTITUTION

After the Motherland Party (ANAP) Leader Mesut Yilmaz, the decision to send the True Parth Party (DYP) Leader Tansu Ciller to the Supreme Court for trial, the work has been begun to give the authority to investigate the politicians and render verdict to judiciary. Premier Bulent Ecevit's recent proposal for the constitutional amendment was supported by both the ruling and opposition parties. If the 83rd and 100th articles of the Constitution are amended, the verdict to send a politician to the Supreme Court will be given by the High Court of Appeals instead of the TGNA. /Turkiye/

RUSSIA'S REQUEST CONCERNING THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION

Russian Federation requested Turkey to hinder the negative decision concerning Chechnya that is expected to be reached during the Summit of the Islamic Conference Organization (IKO) between 27 and 30 June. Meanwhile, Turkey sent a message to Russia that the issue of Chechnya was the internal affair of Russia and that a 'miracle' could not be expected from such an organization like IKO. Now Russia, which is about to end its military operation violating the human rights in Chechnya, is continuing its diplomatic efforts in order not to receive the adverse reactions from the international community. /Cumhuriyet/

GUREL MEETS AUSTRIAN MINISTERS

The government spokesman, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, who is currently in Vienna for an official visit, met Austrian Social Security Minister Elizabeth Sickl yesterday. It is reported that during the meeting, social security treaties between the two countries were re-discussed. Gurel also met Interior Minister Ernst Strasser yesterday evening. At that meeting, dual-citizenship issue was discussed. Following his Austrian visit, Gurel moves on to Germany today. /Turkish Daily News/

KRESA'S STATEMENT ABOUT THE TURKISH DEFENCE

Northrop Grumman's, which is one of the biggest industrial companies in the US, Chairman of the Executive Board, Kent Kresa, stated that the defence expence per person in Turkey was surpassing more than twice the average figure in the European member countries of NATO and that this amount was even above the figure in the US. Kresa delivered a speech during the meeting that was organized by the Turco-American Business Council and said, "We are ready to cooperate with Turkey in every way, in terms of the needs of the defence industry." /Milliyet/

12 DETAINED IN HIZBULLAH OPERATIONS

Anti-terrorist police teams in Diyarbakir are reported to have detained 12 people in raids against the Hizbullah terrorist group. Of the 12 people captured in operations mounted throughout the province over June 3-5, nine have been formally arrested and three released. /Turkish Daily News/

MEHMET NURI YILMAZ DUE IN VATICAN

The Chairman of the Religious Affairs Department, Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, is going to Vatican today at the invitation of Cardinal Francis Arinze, the Chairman of the Papal Dialogue between Religions' Council. Yilmaz is expected to meet Pope Jean Paul II on Friday. /Turkiye/

SUCCESSFUL SURGERY FOR TWINS

The twins, Semanur and Sedanur, only ten months old, were separated from each other with a succesful surgery carried out yesterday by a team headed by Prof. Daver Yeker at the Hospital of Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine after a 10 hour-operation. Prof. Yeker stated that the twins will stay at the intensive care center for a long time. /Sabah/

TOBB AND TIM TO DISCUSS INFLATION TODAY

'Turkey Defeating Inflation' campaign, which was started by the Turkish Association of Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB) and by the Turkish Assembly of Exporters (TIM) will be discussed by the Central Bank today. Chairman of TOBB, Fuat Miras, Chairman of TIM, Okan Oguz, Chairman of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel and other bureaucrats will attend this meeting, where main subject in the agenda will be inviting the Economic and Social Council (ESK) to the meeting. During the meeting, convening of the ESK as soon as possible so that a consensus can be reached between the workers, employers and farmers and the formation of the 'inflation monitoring committees' will be discussed. /Milliyet/

TURK TELECOM'S PRIVATIZATION

Turkey's most important privatization has started. Advertisements have been published for the privatization of the 20% of the Turk Telecom. Discussions for the price of the sale are continuing. Minister of State Yuksel Yalova stated that sealed bids must be delivered by September 15th. /Hurriyet/

ATASOY: "TURKEY NEEDS A POWERFUL BRAND"

During at a conference organized in the scope of the "Cristal Apple Turkey Advertisement Awards Competition", the Chairman of the Advertisers' Association, Faruk Atasoy, stated Turkey will confront a competitive atmosphere following its EU membership. He said, "Turkey needs a very powerful marketing communications industry and this is also important for the promotion of the country." Recalling that Switzerland had earned greatly creating its own brand, despite its lack of rich natural resources, Atasoy emphasized that Turkey as a country should get itself a brand. /Sabah/

TAX CONTROLLING PANEL TO BE HELD

The panel on the 'Tax Contolling in the 21st Century', organized by the Association of the Directors of Revenue Administration will be held at Ankara Chamber of Commerce. Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral, will also attend this meeting, to begin at 10:00 today. During the panel, effective and legal tax collection and the responsibilities of the tax-payers will be discussed. /Milliyet/

KENTBANK IN ALBANIA

Kentbank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) bought Albania's privatized second biggest bank, National Commercial Bank (NCB). In a statement issued by Kentbank, it was stated that the agreement between Kentbank, the Albanian Ministry of Finance, Kentbank, IFC and EBRD was signed on 8 June in Washington. IFC and EBRD will invest in the NCB capital stock amounting to 2 million dollars and Kentbank will ensure a capital stock amounting to 6 million dollars. /Aksam/

FULL PRODUCTION AT SEKA

It was stated that the production at SEKA (Turkish Cellulose and Paper Fabrics Joint Stock Company) branch in Izmit, began with full capacity in three months. The branch, which sufferred heavy damages during the earthquake that occurred in the Marmara Region last August, began its production again yesterday. General Director Kurtcebe Gurkan said, "The amount of the damage that suffered by this organization amounted to 2 trillion TL. However, a total of 1 trillion was spent to restore it and thus, began its production again yesterday." /Cumhuriyet/

FERRY EXPEDITIONS TO TRNC

It was stated that the ferry expeditions from Antalya to Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would begin tomorrow. Chairman of the Executive Board of Fen-Er Travel Agency, Erhan Ozkan, stated that the ferry that will set out to Girne on Mondays and Thursdays, will return on Wednesdays and Sundays. It was further stated that the sea bus cruises between Antalya and Rhodes, which were started last year, will not be carried out this year. /Cumhuriyet/

MODA QUAY TO BE RESTORED

Historical Moda Quay, which was rented by the Naval Chamber of Commerce (DTO) from the Turkish Maritime Management will be restored and turned out to be Naval Cultural and Art Centre. Chairman of the Executive Board of DTO, Cengiz Kaptanoglu, stated that Moda Quay will be open to the service of the public at the Republic Day after its restoration. /Cumhuriyet/

FOCUS: 'TASTE OF LIFE IS IN TURKEY'

One of Germany's best seller magazines, 'Focus', published an article about Turkey on a full page. In this article, entitled "Enjoy life in Turkey" the richness of Turkey in terms of history and the sea is displayed. In addition, the names, phone numbers and fax numbers of the information offices in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin, from which the information about Turkey can be obtained, were published in this article. /Aksam/

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

ANKARA HOPEFUL OF BESHAR BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's attendance of Hafyz Esad's funeral. A summary of his column is as follows: "As President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has stated, Turkey has fulfilled its obligations stemming from neighbourhood by being represented at the highest level during the funeral ceremony. This is a meaningful gesture, as President Sezer has made his first trip as President to Syria. He has used this opportunity to give an important message to the Syrian people and its future leader Beshar Esad. The statement of President conveys the essence of the message. Turkey wants its relations with Syria to be based on a solid foundation and therefore to smooth out the hitches left from the past. Ankara expects Syria to reciprocate its good intentions and hopes to work with the new Syrian leader on the issue. Turkish officials believe that during Beshar Esad's rule Turkish-Syrian relations will improve. In the 30 years when Hafiz Esad was in power, the relations between the two countries were marred by tensions and crises due to Esad's stance. When he came to power Esad began to follow an anti-Western policy and during the Cold War years was against Turkey as it was a NATO member. It cannot be forgotten that Syria has supported many leftist terrorist organizations, Armenian terrorist organization ASALA and then sheltered PKK and even directed it. Esad has changed his stance during the last years of his life and this has resulted an atmosphere for the improvement of relations. Beshar Esad is coming to power in such a climate. Ankara has used its initative with President Sezer's gesture and an message to open a new page in relations with Damascus."

THE SUPREME COURT! BY TAHA AKYOL ( MILLIYET)

Columnist Taha Akyol writes on the reasons of the investigation committee results. A summary of his column is as folows: "The leaders of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path Party (DYP) seem to be on their way to the Supreme Court. If the balance in the investigation committee had been different, the results would have differed! If ANAP and DSP members had been in the majority in the commissions, the Chairman of ANAP Mesut Yilmaz would have been exonerated. If the Virtue Party and True Path Party had been in the majority, Chairman of DYP Tansu Ciller would have been exonerated. It is apparent that political concerns have played an important role in the votes cast by the members, even though there may be some who may have acted with their own opinions. Prof. Ergun Ozbudun has stated that the parliamentary commissions were acting politically and added that they have become mechanisms for libeling or exoneration. Certainly, the accusations of corruption should be investigated. This is necessary for the rationalization of political and economic system in Turkey as it is for ethical reasons. However, a formula is suggested for the investigation on corruption to be made by the judiciary by amending Articles 83 and 100... It may be incorrect to leave the authority of sending a deputy to the Supreme Court to the judiciary. The balance in the 'separation of powers' can be upset in favour of the judiciary. This means bringing politics under the control of the judiciary. The final authority of the Parliament should be protected but the investigation could be made by a council consisting of impartial judges at the High Court of Appeals. One thing is certain and that is the present system has deteriorated and been politized. Therefore a new system is necessary. "

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