MEMBERS OF THE HIGH COURT OF APPEALS VISIT THE PRESIDENT

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday received members of the High Court of Appeals, including Chief Prosecutor of the High Court of Appeals, Vural Savas and Secretary General of the High Court of Appeals, Ugur Ibrahimhakkioglu. During the meeting, the topics on Constitutional amendments were discussed. /Sabah/

THIRD ROUND OF PROXIMITY TALKS

The third round of the proximity talks which aims to find a solution to the Cyprus issue, is being held today in Geneva under the auspices of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Before leaving for Geneva, President Rauf Denktas said, "If doors are open for a compromise, we do not close them." Denktas also stated that Security Council had spoiled the Greek-Cypriots once more with its recent unilateral decision on extending the term of UN Peace Force in Cyprus. /Turkiye/

"TURKEY-EU RAPPROCHMENT IS NECESSARY"

"Defense News" magazine issued an editorial on the European Defense and Security Identity (ESDI) and its 60,000-man army to be formed by the European Union (EU). Emphasizing that EU and Turkey should approach each other, the article stated that EU had to prepare a program which specifies dates for Turkey's full EU membership. /Turkiye/

TGNA BEGINS WORK ON TRAFFIC ISSUE

A Parliamentary Investigation Commission, established to investigate the reasons of traffic accidents and necessary precautions to be taken to prevent accidents, held its first meeting yesterday. The commission decided to convene in three cities. It will held the first meeting, outside Ankara, in Diyarbakir on July 19, and then the commission will convene in Antalya and Istanbul. The Head of the Commission, Ahmet Tan, stated that they would invite representatives of the public organizations, bars and non-governmental organizations to the meeting. /Sabah/

ANAP'S PROPOSAL FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Deputy Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Group, Beyhan Aslan, is getting ready a draft law which envisages abolishment of the capital punishment. Instead of it, Aslan proposes a stiffer life imprisonment sentence. Stating that the prisoner would completely cut off from the outside world and the prison regime would be harsher than for normal prisoners, Aslan emphasized the sentence would be "worse than death". He also stressed that the prisoner would not be able to benefit from any amnesty, and in addition, it would meet European Union requirements that Turkey abolish the death penalty. /Milliyet/

VERHEUGEN TO VISIT TURKEY

European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, is expected to pay a two-day visit to Turkey on July 13-14 during which he will discuss the accession partnership and Turkey's national program for EU membership. Western diplomatic sources say Verheugen, will basically listen to the Turkish side about their plans for political and economic reforms to meet the Copenhagen criteria. He will prepare a report and summit it to the EU Commission after his trip to Ankara. During his visit, Verheugen is also expected to be received by the Premier Bulent Ecevit and to meet Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. /Turkish Daily News/

AKBULUT'S VISIT TO LITHUANIA

Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut who has been in Lithuania on an official visit said that Turkey would continue to support Lithuania's bid for NATO membership. After meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius on Monday, Akbulut told reporters that Turkey and Lithuania were determined to develop relations, but added that unfortunately the two countries had not yet taken the necessary steps to develop these relations. Kubilius also said, "We thank Turkey for its suuport with our NATO bid. WE also offer Turkey our cooperation on its EU membership issue." Akbulut later met with his counterpart Vytautas Landbergis and discussed Turkey's efforts to increase its democratic standards. /Turkish Daily News/

EXTREME TEMPARATURE RISES THROUGHOUT TURKEY

The authorities announced that weather temperature will rise considerably starting from today, reaching 45 degree Celcius at shade in some parts of the country.The heat wave will continue to affect especially the Aegean, Mediterranean, Southeast Anatolian regions. Doctors warned people, especially those with asthma, suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure, the elderly and pregnant to stay indoors or at shade. To compensate the liquid loss, people should drink as much water as possible. /Aksam/

PEACE WATER PROJECT

The first step in the Peace Water Project will be taken next week in Ankara. Turkey and Israel will discuss the water sales. The last issue to be discussed with Israel's water delegation is the prices. Bureaucrats stated that both sides have similar views on water prices. Turkey determined two different tariffs for the water sales to Israel. The first one concerns the period in which there is an abundance of water due to the season. The price of the water will be low in that period. The second one concerns the summer period in which the prices will be relatively high. Turkey will have the right to suspend the treaty in extraordinary conditions like war and drought. Israel will be the first country which Turkey sells water in the Middle East. /Star/

MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES MEET IN TURKEY

This year, Turkey will host the 22th Mediterranean Conference in Istanbul on 11-16 July. In the Conference to be held under the sponsorship of Dowling College, Istanbul University Charles Delmar Foundation and New York National Arts Club, issues such as "Microbiologic investigations on Mediterranean fruit fly", "Neo-platonic works" and "Europe and Ottoman historical relations and Sephardic works" will be discussed. In the framework of the conference, Istanbul branch of New York National Arts Club will be opened. /Milliyet/

FATIH FRIGATE SALUTES CLINTON

Fatih Frigate under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kemal Bescinar participated in the International Maritime parade organized in connection with the National Day (4th of July) of the United States. During the parade, President Clinton, who was present at the 'USS Hue City' warship, called Lt.Colonel Bascinar by wireless and said," Welcome to the port of New York. We are happy to see you with us".The frigate will be open to the visitors until 7 July at the quay of US marines. Lt.Colonel Bascinar will give a reception on 8 July. /Aksam/

KEMAL SUNAL'S FUNERAL TODAY

The famous comedian Kemal Sunal, who died of a heart attack on Monday morning, will be buried today in the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. His admirers gathered in front of his house bringing flowers, and signed the memorial book. Cengiz Sunal who is the brother of Kemal Sunal said that his brother was afraid flying. /Aksam/

ANATOLIA AND ATHENS NEWS AGENCIES SIGN AN AGREEMENT

Turkey's semiofficial Anatolia News Agency signed an agreement with the Greek Athens News Agency on Tuesday. According to the agreement, the two agencies will exchange news and photographs as well as information and background. /Turkish Daily News/

SUCCESFUL SPORTSMEN TO BECOME POLICEMEN

Minister of Interior, Sadettin Tantan, made an amendment on the Police College Enterance Regulation to faciliate the enterance of the successful sportsmen to Police College, who have degrees in national or international competitions. /Sabah/

NO REFERANDUM FOR ANKARA'S EMBLEM

The Ministry of Interior stopped the process of referandum to change Ankara's emblem. The Minister of Interior, Sadettin Tantan said that the Municipality did not have any authority to change the emblem. The day before yesterday, the Municipality Assembly agreed to hold a referandum to decide which emblem will be used. Ankara's Mayor, Melih Gokcek, introduced a new emblem consisting of moon, stars, mosque and the Tower of Atakule, after he had been elected. The previous emblem was the Hittite sun. /Aksam/

CHIBBER: "CONTROL SHOULD BE INCREASED"

Delivering a speech in the Banking Congress, World Bank Director in charge of Turkey Desk, Ajay Chibber said, " Economic implementations showed that the objectives set could be achieved." Stating that there are great developments in Turkish economy and the inflation tends to decrease, Chibber said, "The period of rearrangement in banking sector is very important. The World Bank, wants to see the positive developments in the sector in order to extend credits." Chibber added that the World Bank gave the credits for the agricultural and energy sector but they have not signed certain documents yet for the finance sector. He said, "To receive the financial support, some changes must be made in the sector. The most important thing is to increase the control over the sector." /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY'S FIRST TECHNOCITY

The first of the research aand development buildings constructed under the METU-Technocity project was opened. Speaking at the ceremony, METU Rector Suha Sevuk stated that the main aim of the technoparks was to contribute to raising the country's international competitiveness by developing technology and supporting the growth of companies using advanced technology and also increasing the level of university-industry cooperation. Sevuk also said that the second building would be completed by the autumn. /Turkish Daily News/

STATE MINISTER ONAL: "NO BANK TO STAY IN THE INSURANCE FUND"

State Minister Recep Onal announced at the Turkish Banking Congress organized by Euro Forum that they wanted eight banks transferred to the Insurance Fund for Deposits to return the system. He explained that the consultant firm they have chosen to inspect those banks would complete and submit its report on `how to rehabilitate and sell these banks' at the end of this month. Recep Onal stated that selling of these bank will be completed until September 1 when the Committee for Regulation and Inspection of Banks will start to operate. Onal added : "We tried hard not to delay the selling of eight banks in the Insurance Fund until today. But we do not interfere in the works of the independent committees. No proposals have been made to the government yet from the Insurance Fund. We shall decide on a new proposal when it is made". /Hurriyet/

TREASURY SELLS FREE FLOATING BILL WITH TWO YEARS MATURITY

Turkey's Treasury sold T-Notes with two years maturity and %40 annual yield in two auctions held yesterday. Total value of bids reached TL 997 trillion but net sellings were only TL 183.3 trillion. The value of nominal sales were TL 177 trillion. Yearly average rate of simple interest was 40.28% but compound interest rate was %46.79 in the auctions. Minimum simple interest rate was %40.41, maximum %40.47. /Hurriyet/

FIRST SIX MONTHS ENDED UP WITH 3.3 QUADRILLION CASH SURPLUS

Treasury announced that the first six months of the year has ended up with TL 3.3 quadrillion surplus in balance of the consolidated budget. According to the provisional figures issued yesterday by Treasury, the budget had a cash deficit of TL 8.8 quadrillion in the same period. Revenues amounted to TL 13.7 quadrillion and non-interest payments to TL 10.4 quadrillion. /Hurriyet/

EXPORTS ROSE %4.8 IN SIX MONTHS

Turkish Exporters Union Chairman Okan Oguz pointed to the upward trend in the exports recent months due to the slowdown in the rate of inflation in the same period. According to the figures released yesterday by the Turkish Exporters Union, in April exports rose by 3.3 percent and in May 10.5 percent. In June alone exports rose by 6.2 percent and reached 2.4 billion compared to the same month in 1999. /Turkish Daily News/

7th ISTANBUL JAZZ FESTIVAL BEGINS

7th Istanbul Jazz Festival begins with the concert of "Buena Vista Social Club" in Harbiye Open-air Theatre today. There is great interest for the festival. The festival will end on July 15th. /Cumhuriyet/

ASPENDOS FESTIVAL ENDS

Aspendos International Ballet and Opera Festival will end with the show of Russian Academic Bolshoi Theatre on July 10th. The artists of the Theatre will perform famous works from Russian opera on the last night of the Festival. /Cumhuriyet/

BUYUKUNCU PLACED THIRD

Derya Buyukuncu, participated in the European Swimming Championship in Helsinki, received a bronze medal in 100 m backstroke. He came third with a degree of 55.84 seconds. Buyukuncu said that he aimed to get a medal in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games. /Cumhuriyet/

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

CONCRETE STEPS FROM THE MOTHERLAND PARTY BY ORHAN BIRGIT (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Orhan Birgit comments on the draft law proposed by the Motherland Party (ANAP). A summary of his column is as follows: "The third partner of the Coalition Government, took an important step as the Turkish Grand National Assembly entered into summer recess. ANAP deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Group, Beyhan Aslan stated that they had prepared a draft law, taking out the article in the Penal Code concerning capital punishment, and bringing a new stiffer law on life imprisonment. Beyhan Aslan is correct in his view that the 'stiffer life imprisonment' which will not be subject to pardon in any case, be worse than capital punishment itself. It is becoming clear thar ANAP is among those who have noticed that the discussions on the changes to be made in the laws to enter the EU have influenced the public positively. Even members of Nationalist Action Party (MHP) who have taken a hard stance against the abolishment of 'capital punishment' in the past, seem to have softened their views and say that they would support the draft if death sentence can be passed on those accused with treason. Before the General Election, the initative of the Justice Minister of the 56th Govenment, Hasan Denizkurdu could not find any supporters to a 'stiffer life imprisonment' instead of capital punishment other than the members of the Democratic Left Party and People's Republican Party. However, in the year 2000 it can be said that two parties of the coalition, DSP and ANAP agree on this point. What is more, the new Turkish President displays that he is not only among those expecting the abolishment of life sentence but will follow the developmemnts on the subject. The official view of the Turkish Armed Forces which is against capital punishment is also another factor which will soften others defending it."

OLD ISSUES