SEZER'S RECEPTIONS

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer met the Chairman of the Association of All Lecturers (TUMOD), Prof. M. Tahir Hatipoglu and the accompanying delegation. Sezer said that it would be proper for the universities, which are not fully developed, to be autonomous. Sezer also met the Chairmans of the Executive Board of Turkish Foundation for Handicapped People, Foundation for the Blind People, Turkish Foundation for Helping the Orphaned People and the Foreign Economic Relations Committee. /Cumhuriyet/

SEZER'S VISITS

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will pay his first official visits to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Azerbaijan. President Sezer will visit Azerbaijan on July 11th-12th and the TRNC on November 22nd-23rd. /Hurriyet/

MEDAL OF HONOUR FOR DEMIREL

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will present his predecessor, the 9th President of the Republic of Turkey, Suleyman Demirel "State Medal of Honour". To the ceremony which will be held on Friday June 16 at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Yildirim Akbulut, Premier Bulent Ecevit, Chief of General Staff, Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Force Commanders, the heads of the high judicial establishments, wife of Demirel and their close friends were also invited. /Hurriyet/

ECEVIT ATTENDS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH

Queen Elizabeth's birthday was celebrated with a reception at the British Embassy in Ankara, which was attended by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, his wife Rahsan Ecevit, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Yildirim Akbulut, Minister of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Yasar Okuyan, foreign mission chiefs and many other guests. Ecevit was welcomed by a British officer playing a traditional bagpipe at the gate of the Embassy. /Sabah/

ECEVIT: "I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND MHP"

Yesterday, during the Democratic Left Party (DSP)'s parliamentary group meeting, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, "I fail to understand what the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) is trying to do." Ecevit stated that he wished the tension did not cause any political crisis and unstability. Regarding Mehmet Ali Agca's handing over to the Turkish judiciary, Ecevit emphasized that it was an important step and the murder of Abdi Ipekci might be uncovered. Premier also informed the deputies about his recent visit to Diyarbakir. /Hurriyet/

AGCA IN KARTAL PRISON

Terrorist Mehmet Ali Agca, extradited from Italy to Turkey, was put into Kartal Prison. Three gendarmeries and three law enforcement officers will be responsible for Agca's security and will watch him for 24 hours. The card-security system of the prison was replaced by a "Finger Print" equipment. /Hurriyet/

TURK: "RE-TRIAL IS NOT POSSIBLE"

The Minister of Justice Hikmet Sami Turk declared that Mehmet Ali Agca who was sentenced to death, was not possible to be re-inquired or re-tried for the murder of Abdi Ipekci. Turk stated that Agca can only testify for the Ipekci murder and other cases. /Hurriyet/

4 PKK MEMBERS KILLED IN HINIS

During a clash between security forces and terrorists in Erzurum's district of Hinis, four terrorists were killed. Meanwhile, a police was killed and five soldiers were injured. Security forces came face to face with the terrorists during a search they carried out near Hinis' village of Pinar. Officials stated that there was a total of ten terrorists. /Aksam/

POPE JEAN PAUL II TO BE INVITED TO TURKEY

Pope Jean Paul II will be invited to Turkey with a documentary film entitled 'First Steps on the Holy Route - Anatolia', prepared by the Ministry of Culture, promoting the civilizations which existed in Anatolia. Minister of Culture, Istemihan Talay, delivered a speech during a press conference to promote this documentary, and said, "Anatolia has left us a cultural heritage in which people from different religions have lived together in an atmosphere of tolerance. We have the responsibility to promote this to the whole world." Talay also pointed out the importance of cultural tourism and stated that this documentary would have a special meaning in terms of promoting Turkey abroad. /Cumhuriyet/

EU TO BUILD BUSINESS CENTRE IN GAZIANTEP

It was stated that the European Union (EU) would build a business centre, which will work in the field of consultancy and education. Chairman of Gaziantep's Chamber of Commerce (GTO), Mehmet Aslan, pointed out that the EU opened its first local information network office in Gaziantep and added, "This office, which provides industrialists and businessmen in Gaziantep with the information on EU, is very functional. Now we are working hard to build this business centre." /Aksam/

TURKISH AND ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS' MEETING

Armenian Diaspora's Research Centre, based in Paris, will organize a meeting entitled 'Turco-Armenian Dialogue Concerning the Armenian Problem of Today' at the Senate on 17 June. Oral Calislar, Baskin Oran, Mete Tuncay and Ragip Zarakolu will attend this meeting from Turkey and the meeting will be chaired by the Chairman of Senate, Christian Poncelet. Historian Labrenti Barsehyan, Turcology expert from the Armenian Sciences Academy, Agop Cakiryan, Turcolog and the Eastern Studies Expert, Jean Claude Kepapciyan will attend the meeting as speakers from the Armenian side. /Aksam/

SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2000 STUDENTS

'Turkish World Second Youth Festival' was organized by the International Kazakh Cultural Solidarity and Development Foundation at Karagol National Park. Governor of Ankara, Yahya Gur, attended the festival and stated that the Turkish world was a big one and that they were giving scholarships for 600 students who come from the Turkish-speaking Republics. Gur added that their aim was to increase this number to 2000. Gur added, "History united us and Turkish world is hopeful from the future." /Aksam/

BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGISTS TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY

The best archaeologists in England will arrive in Turkey to rescue the ancient Zeugma city, which is likely to be inundated by the waters of Birecik Dam. The Ministry of Culture, which could not ignore cries by the international community and Turkish public to rescue the ancient Zeugma city from being inundated, signed an agreement and invited a group of 50 archaeologists from London Archaeological Rescue Team, considered to be the best in the world. London Archaeological Rescue Team, which is a semi-official organization, is expected to finish the rescue excavation of six months in six weeks. /Cumhuriyet/

HISTORIC TREASURES TO BE RETURNED

2,175 historical artifacts of some 3,000, which were smuggled from Turkey illegally in 1996 and seized in London, will be handed over Turkey in the near future. The artifacts dating back to Roman, Urartu, Byzantine, Phrygian and Ottoman periods will be brought to Turkey by the Culture Minister's representatives. /Milliyet/

TOUR OF GAP REGION

A delegation from the British Parliamentarians' Union is to go to SanliUrfa in the near future to tour the Southern Anatolia Project (GAP)'s hydroelectric dams and irrigation networks. The parliamentarians will see the Ataturk Dam and multipurpose social center in Yakubiye as well as the historical Harran ruins. Finally, they will visit the Birecik Dam, whose reservoir waters will soon flood parts of the ancient city of Zeugma. /Turkish Daily News/

RADIO AND TELEVISION DRAFT BILL

A draft bill has been presented to the Bureau of the TGNA concerning amendments on the Laws of Radio and Television's Establishment and Broadcasting, Press, Income Tax and Corporation Tax. Accordingly, media bosses may enter to state tenders. In the meantime, the shares of the private radio and television establishments will be registered. /Cumhuriyet/

ERCEL'S STATEMENT

Chairman of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, stated that social support was necessary for the struggle against inflation. Ercel met the Chairman of the Turkish Association of Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB), Fuat Miras, Chairman of TIM, Okan Oguz and the Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen within the framework of the 'Turkey Defeating Inflation' campaign that was started by the TOBB and the Turkish Assembly of Exporters. Ercel said, "I believe the inflation rate will decrease to 25% at the end of this year and the political stability will continue. We will keep the 'Consensus Document', which was signed by more than 100,000 people as the sign of their support to the struggle against inflation, at the Museum of the Central Bank. We hope Turkey will not have to sign such a document once more." /Sabah/

WORLD BANK'S DONATION TO TURKEY

The World Bank approved of the delivery of the donation to 'Biodiversity and Natural Source Project' to Turkey, amounting to 11.54 million dollars. 3.35 million dollars of this donation will be ensured by Turkey whereas 8.2 million of this donation will be ensured by the Universal Environment Initiative Fund. This project aims at supporting forestry planning and administration, utilization of local land, development of tourism, widening the scope of agriculture and environmental management of water systems. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH MARK ON ASTANA

Turkish companies attended the opening ceremonies of Eurasia University, built by Ceylan Holding Company, and the Cultural Centre, built by Okan Holding Company in Astana. These opening ceremonies were organized due to the third anniversary of the acceptance of Astana as the capital city of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, opened the National Museum built by Okan Holding Company for 25 million dollars and pointed out that he was pleased by the high quality service the Turkish companies gave. Nazarbayev stated that this museum had been built in 18 months and thanked the Chairman of the Executive Board of Okan Holding Company, Bekir Okan. Meanwhile, Okan said, "We built important works in Astana and we will continue to our work in Astana." Nazarbayev also opened Eurasia University built by Ceylan Holding Company. He thanked Ceylan Holding Company for building this university in less than one year for 30 million dollars and said, "We are writing the history of Kazakhstan with the efforts of Turkish businessmen." /Sabah/

ANKARA'S ASSOCIATION OF TEXTILE INDUSTRIALISTS ESTABLISHED

More than 700 textile and ready-to-wear producers, who work in Ankara, established Ankara's Association of Cloth Industrialists in order to increase the production and export potential of the companies in Ankara and to make Ankara the centre of textile world. Canip Karakus was elected as the Chairman of this Association. Karakus said, "We wanted to unite our power as the textile industrialists in Ankara and to contribute to the Turkish economy by increasing our production, employment and export." /Sabah/

TURKCELL TO BE OPENED TO PUBLIC ON 3 JULY

The Administration of Turkcell will open 15% of its shares to the public between 3 and 7 July. It was revealed that Turkcell wanted Yapi Kredi Investment and Pamuk Investment, which will lead this public opening, to begin promoting the issue. The market value of Turkcell has not been determined yet but the previous researches revealed that the market value of Turkcell was minimum 19 billion dollars and maximum 26 billion dollars. /Sabah/

BAYINDIR HOLDING DONATES 25 PREFABRICATED HOUSES FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Bayindir Holding Company delivered 25 prefabricated houses, it built for those who lost their homes during the earthquake that occurred on 17 August in Adapazari's village of Kirazca, to their owners with a ceremony. Chairman of Bayindir Holding Company, Kamuran Cortuk, stated that Bayindir Group used all it could to help the earthquake victims. /Star/

LEADING FUND DIRECTORS IN ISTANBUL

The world's biggest fund directors, which direct the money traffic, began to carry out their contacts in Istanbul. 25 administrators of 12 fund companies, who direct billion dollars-worth portfolios, visited Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) and some banks. The delegation will attend a meeting, to which the Chairman of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel and the Chairman of the Privatization Board, Ugur Bayar are also invited. /Cumhuriyet/

WORLD BANK'S LOAN APPROVED

The Loan Agreement and the additional letters in regard with the delivery of the loan amounting to 759.6 million dollars, which was signed between the Republic of Turkey and the World Bank on 27 May, was approved to be valid as from the date of signature. The Loan Agreement was signed to support the programme that was prepared within the framework of the stand-by agreement signed previously with the International Monetary Fund. /Cumhuriyet/

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

DISCORD IN COALITION GOVERNMENT BY ESEN UNUR (STAR)

Columnist Esen Unur writes on the disagreement among the coalition party members displayed recently. A summary of his column is as follows: "Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Bulent Ecevit has said that he could not understand what the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) wanted to do. Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of MHP Devlet Bahceli stated that they would not abandon fighting with corruption for the sake of coalition or stability. The leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz accused the MHP of carrying out political plans. Thus, it was understood that the Coalition Government was not as harmonious as led to believe. Turkey is being governed by three leaders who do not come together but prefer to talk with each other through the media. In the programme of this Government it was stated that the partners in the Government would take great care to work harmoniously and find solid and lasting solutions to the problems of the country. There are many aspects of the recent developments I fail to understand. For example, I cannot understand the view of Yilmaz who believes the decisions rendered by the commisions to be political. He had stated that he would not enter the Government until the decisions of the investigations commissions complete their studies. He was exonerated of six files against him and it was decided to send the two files to the TGNA to be voted on. When he was exonerated, he did not utter a sound, but when the files were sent to the TGNA he said that the decisions were taken by political considerations. It is not possible to accept some decisions and denounce others. What is more, I cannot understand the stance of the Prime Minister who said that he failed to see what the MHP was trying to do. Should not he discuss the question with Devlet Bahceli before making such a statement? It is also beyond my comprehension how he can criticise the stance MHP has taken against Mesut Yilmaz, while not uttering a sound against the members of his own party when they cast their votes for DYP Leader Tansu Ciller to be sent to the Supreme Court for mishandling the slush fund. Furthermore, Devlet Bahceli's stance is in need of an explanation. It is not quite understandable to say "The ice should thaw" one day and to say words to the contrary the next. We shall see whether the coalition partners will be understood more clearly in the near future."

NATO-EU SECURITY AND TURKEY BY ILTER TURKMEN (HURRIYET)

Former Ambassador Ilter Turkmen comments on the security and defence of Europe in relation with NATO and the EU. A summary of his column is as follows: "When the Cold War ended, the Atlantic Alliance could have been regarded as futile. However, the idea that a Russia with nuclear weapons could prove to be dangerous in future was accepted by all. In addition to this view, it was considered that alliances were not only necessary to unite against a common enemy but to protect the existing balance between the countries and improve the relations between the member countries. With the inclusion of three former Warsaw Pact members, a constant line has been drawn in Eastern Europe. When the UN stood by in view of the developments in the Balkans, NATO undertook the responsibilitly of comprehensive military operations. Even though there may be agreement on the importance of NATO for the solidarity between the Atlantic Alliance and EU, there are some disputes on the matter. The discussion on anti-ballistic defence is an example. The US with the concern that countries like North Korea and Iran can develop intercontinental missiles in the near future, wants to deploy an anti-missile system in Alaska. Both Russia and the EU are opposed to this claiming that it would upset the equality in defences. The establishment of a European defence and security system independent of the US is leading to frictions between NATO and the EU. The US would have liked EU countries to eliminate their weaknesses displayed in the crisis in the Balkans and modernize their defence structures. However, regarding a separate identity, the US is concerned that EU would drift away from NATO under the influence of France which has never agreed wth the military integration to NATO. The EU Defence and Security Indentity (ESDI) creates a certain amount of concern in Turkey too. The concern stems from the fact that the associate member status it has achieved within the WEU would not be valid in the new structure which will be formed with the integration of the WEU into the EU. The final decision will be made this month in the EU Summit to be held in Portugal. However, three advisory fora will take the place of WEU methods between the EU member and non EU member countries. The most important forum will consist of the EU and six non EU member countries. If the EU will need to resort to NATO's resources it will have to bring the question to this forum. The only stage where Turkey cannot participate in would be the decision-making phase. The decision to participate in these operations would entirely be left to Turkey from then on. It was learnt that the EU attaches great importance to Turkey's contributions. Turkey cannot accept to be treated as an EU member within the ESDI framework when it is not. What is more, the only issue between the EU and Turkey is not limited to ESDI. The EU policy should be taken up as a whole and a balance should be provided."

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