SEZER TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN

After his visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will pay his second official visit to Azerbaijan on July 11-12, accompanied by a delegation of 20, at the invitation of the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev. During his visit, Sezer is also expected to address the Azerbaijani General Assembly. /Milliyet/

MHP AGAINST ABOLISHMENT OF DEATH PENALTY

Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said that they were against the abolishment of death penalty as long as the article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code was debated. Yesterday, Bahceli came to Pinarbasi district of Kayseri to attend "Vuslat Feast", organized by the Nationalist Action Party (MHP). Replying to questions posed by journalists, Bahceli said, "Apart from MHP, there are four more parties at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). They can come together and work on abolishing death penalty. It is not government's but TGNA's concern." Regarding the Necmettin Erbakan case, Devlet Bahceli said that he was sorry for Erbakan, however, added that they were against to the abolishment of the Article 312. /Hurriyet/

AMNESTY ANXIETY

During the new legislation year, amnesty discussions and amendments on the article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code will be major topics on the agenda of the TGNA. TGNA will make a final decision on the Amnesty Law. Leaders are expected to take up the amendment of the article 312 during their summit which will be held this week. In the meantime, leader of the Virtue Party (FP), Recai Kutan is continuing his visits to political party leaders for exploring their ideas on the subject. He will also pay a visit to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and ask his support for the amendment. /Turkiye/

OYMEN: "DEMOCRATIZATION IS NECESSARY"

Stating that it is necessary to enact new laws and also to amend the enforcement of the laws for democratization, Chairman of the Republican People's Party, Oymen said, " To amend only the 312th article is not enough for democratization. This article should not be abolished but its content should be amended. This issue must be discussed in a larger democratization package." Noting that CHP has no intention of entering into a collaboration with HADEP or any other political party, Oymen said, " CHP is always open to dialogue with all political parties". He said that the dialogue was a party tradition. /Cumhuriyet/

SPY SCANDAL IN NORTHERN CYPRUS

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) has been shocked by a peculiar spy scandal. Three journalists from daily `Avrupa`, which is known for its strong anti-Turkey and anti-army stance, and a non-commissioned officer and his wife have been arrested for spying. Reports say that new arrests may come about within the framework of the ongoing investigation. "Members and chief of a group acting under the guise of a daily and aiming at subverting the state and more importantly at spying to obtain military and political secrets were captured. This group was trying to infiltrate the army and was carrying out activities for that purpose. "The incident is quite serious.", said a statement from the KKTC Security Forces Command. The statement said that evidence had been obtained proving that the group was spying. /Turkish Daily News/

DENKTAS UNEASY OVER REPORT LEAKED TO GREEK MEDIA

TRNC President Rauf Denktas criticized the Greek-Cypriot Administration saying that as the third round of Cyprus 'proximity' talks were going on, the leaking of the proposals to the press aimed to damage the contents of the package. In a statement to the press, following his talks with UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto,he said that the leaking of the Turkish proposals to the press were aimed at damaging their content, however this attempt had not reached its goal. Noting that, there was nothing new in the Turkish proposals and they had been revealed time and again, Turkish-Cypriots had said nothing on the issue due to the ban imposed by the UN. /Turkiye/

ATHENS IS IN FAVOUR OF EQUALITY ON THE ISLAND

Greek Government decided to make radical changes on its Cyprus policy, to base the solution between the two communties on a 'partnership foundation', and in a way accept the equality of both sides. This stance has been decided upon in a secret meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou last week. According to Greek newspaper 'To Vima', the new Cyprus policy will focus on two points. First, the Turkish side will have to understand that its interests lie not in the partition of the Island but in State of Cyprus. Secondly, the Greek side should accept that the affairs of the State should be executed based on a partnership principle and the role of the Turkish side should be elevated./Milliyet/

FRENCH SUPPORT FOR EU

The new term president of EU, France, has proposed to cooperate with Turkey in reforms which Turkey had to implement during EU full-membership process. The French proposal consists of introducing French model to Turkish bureaucracts and conveying the French experiences to Turkey. According to diplomatic circles, as a first step, France offered to increase cooperation between Turkish and French State Planning Organizations, judiciary and regional administrations and to train Turkish diplomats on EU at French academies, etc. /Cumhuriyet/

MESUT YILMAZ'S CONDITION FOR GOVERNMENT

Mesut Yilmaz answered his aides' question on his entrance to the cabinet and said, " If I am appointed for the posts of State Ministry responsible for the relations with the European Union (EU) and Deputy Prime Minister, I will enter the cabinet. I can carry out both my duties in the party and in the cabinet. Only 18000 pages out of 100000 pages of European Union regulations are compatible with Turkish laws. There are 82000 pages of harmonization criteria to go over. Doing this would mean taking a big step on the way of EU and in realm of democratization process.If I am assigned to that post I can take part in the cabinet." /Star/

TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP

The panel entitled "Turkish-Greek Friendship"organized by Mugla Municipality was held in Mugla. Visitors from the "sister city" Halkida of Greece participated in the panel. The Mayor of Mugla Dr. Osman Gurun said that the political powers that were trying to alienate the two nations are now working to unite them. The Mayor of Halkida, Haralambos Maniatis pointed out that two societies shared a common culture and in order to strengthen the relations between them commercial activities should be improved. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Erol Duren who is the head of 2000 Euro Surgery Congress said that Turkey and Greece have a common project to send medical aid from Bodrum to Greek islands when there is a state of emergency. Duren said that Euro Surgery Congress contributed greatly to Turco-Greek friendship. He added that the highest rate of participation in the congress belonged to Turkey followed by Greece. He said, "I am sure that this rapprochement between the two countries will go on in the future." /Cumhuriyet/

101 KILOS OF HEROIN WAS SEIZED

At three separate operations carried out by the Istanbul Police Narcotics Department with the cooperation of its Austrian colleagues, 101 kilos and 500 grams of heroin and 500 grams of cocaine were seized. At the operations 13 people were caught. It appeared that, Emin Guntek who is still in Bayrampasa prison, Istanbul, had arranged led the deals on heroin from the prison. /Cumhuriyet/

DAMAGE OF FOREST FIRES INCREASES TENFOLD

It was stated that the forestry area damaged by fires this year has increased more than tenfold compared to the last year's. In 1999 until 9 July, 558 fires damaged 814 hectars of forests, but this year during the same period 660 fires broke out damaging 9250 hectars. At the pine forest near the village of Bayramic, Gonen- Balikesir a fire broke out yesterday. At the fire, the cause of which could not be determined, 80 hectars of pine trees were damaged. Moreover, 20 hectars of forests were burned at the Ballikaya National Park near the village of Tavsanli, in Kocaeli-Gebze. /Cumhuriyet/

HIZBULLAH TRIAL STARTS

Hizbullah main trial consisting of 15 accused, including Cemal Tutar (responsible for military actions) and Edip Gumus (responsible for political actions), who were caught in an operation, during which the leader of the terrorist organization, Huseyin Velioglu was killed, is going to start today at the State Security Court (DGM) No.3. In the indictment of the main trial prepared by the prosecutors of Diyarbakir State Security Court, the accused were charged with 156 murder, and death sentence was requested for 13 accused and 15 years of imprisonment for the remaining two, accused of being a member of the terrorist organization. /Cumhuriyet/

NEW PERIOD IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

Decree in the Force of Law (KHK) No: 595, is being put into effect as of today. The Law was prepared after August 17 earthquake to ensure property and life security, prevent the construction of buildings without control and in low quality. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Ali Helvaci said, "From now on, we will not let anybody to construct buildings by chance in Turkey, since Turkey is in earthquake zone." Helvaci also said that in addition to the controlling of constructions, compulsory earthquake insurance would be put into effect in September. /Turkiye/

REORGANIZING STATE BANKING

The decree in the force of law, which will allow operating and privatizing state banks in accordance with the commercial principles, is expected to be introduced next week. The works within the context of this decree in the force of law is continuing. World Bank stated that changing certain laws on state banking would be enough for Turkey to receive the Financial Sector Adjustment Credit (FSAC). World Bank will give the first part of FSAC ($ 390 million) to Turkey, if the necessary regulations will be introduced in state banking. /Turkiye/

CALL FOR FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a new campaign it launched called on foreign businessmen to invest in the Southestearn Anatolia Project (GAP). Foreign Ministry which published a 45 page booklet entitled "Investment Opportunities in GAP" sent it to the commercial consulates of foreign missions in Turkey and foreign firms. In the booklet, the data concerning the business potential in Adiyaman, Batman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Kilis, Siirt, Sanliurfa, Mardin and Sirnak covered by the project is furnished for the use of foreign investors. /Milliyet/

ZEKI MUREN ART MUSEUM

Zeki Muren's house, renovated as a museum by the Ministry of Culture, was opened to visitors in Bodrum. During the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay said that the house, where Muren's personal belongings were displayed, had been arranged as a museum at a cost of 10 billion liras. /Turkiye/

TOURISTS FROM EUROPE

The number of tourists visiting Turkey in the first five months of this year reached 2,831.063. Germany is the first with 545.163 tourists. Britain and Russian Federation followed Germany respectively. According to State Institute of Statistics' data, the number of British tourists is 189.560 and tourists from the Russian Federation is 163.871. /Cumhuriyet/

YOUTH MEETINGS ALL OVER TURKEY

Social development projects which were initiated by Bulent Ecevit in 1970s were revived by State Minister in charge of sports Fikret Unlu. The project named "National Youth Camps" will be carried out in 66 cities and 82 towns. The camps which will be opened in Eastern and South Eastern Turkey will serve to introduce the natural and historical beauties of the regions to the Turkish youth. Unlu stated that youth will learn the dances, handicrafts, traditions and historical features of those regions with the social activities in the camps. Agri Dogubeyazit Camp which was opened in 3th July is the most attractive camp in East Anatolian Region. University students from all over Turkey contributed to a cultural exchange between western and esatern cultures. /Cumhuriyet/

DANCE GROUPS IN ANKARA

Dance groups from seven different countries will participate in Ankara Folk Dances Festival to be held in 10-15 July. Bulgaria, Georgia, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey will attend the festival, the fourth of which is organized under the patronage of TGNA Culture, Art and Publishing Association, Ministry of Culture and Ankara Governorship. 300 dancers will perform at the same time on different stages. /Cumhuriyet/

DAIMLER CRYSLER TALKED ON ITS ASIA PLAN AT THE BOSPHORUS

The 3rd biggest automotive company of the world, Daimler Crysler,specified its new strategy during the International Research Meeting at the Çyragan Palace in Istanbul. The Search Committee, consisting of politicians, economists, scientists, and business leaders listened to Suleyman Demirel, who is known to be closely acquainted with Asia. The executive Chairmen of Mitsubishi and Deutsche Bank, Turkey's Central Bank Governor Gazi Erçel, Chairman of Privatization Administration Ugur Bayar, have also participated in the meeting. Economy Professor from the Leiden University, Victor Halberstadt chaired the meeting after which he said to the Press : "Turkey has a strategical location both for us and the world. Istanbul, is the heart of Turkey, and a notable gathering place for us, that is, also a very significant gate to reach the former Soviet UniBon and Middle East Countries". /Hurriyet/

FOREIGN INVESTMENT ENTRANCE: 13 BILLION DOLLARS

According to the Treasury Undersecretariat's data, the number of companies, operating in Turkey with foreign capital, reached 5,129 as of June. Their total capital is 2,220 quadrillion TL. In the meantime, during the first six months of last year, 221 companies with foreign capital were allowed to operate, compared to 179 in the same period of this year. /Turkiye/

OLIVE OIL PRODUCTION 7.2 PERCENT OF WORLD

Olive oil production in Turkey has reached 7.2 percent of the world production last year. According the "Olive Oil Research Report" prepared by Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, average world production is 2 million tons, 67-85 percent of which is produced by EU Countries. The report placed Turkey the 3rd biggest producer in the world. /Hurriyet/

BLACK SEA COPPER ENTERPRISES SELL SHARES TO PRIVATIZATION ADMINISTRATION

Capital Market Boards registered the application of the Black Sea Copper Enterprises to raise its capital increase. The company will sell the shares to be issued to the Privatization Administration. Company will increase its capital from the TL12.5 Trillion to TL14.25 Trillion. Cum rights of the shareholders will be restricted to transfer of the increased part of the capital to the Privatization Administration. /Hurriyet/

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

DELAY MAY RESULT IN DISASTER BY ERTUGRUL OZKOK (HURRIYET)

Columnist Ertugrul Ozkok writes on the impending visit of EU Representative Responsible for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen to Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "EU Representative for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen will be coming to Turkey on Wednesday. Turkey attaches great importance to this visit. The importance given can be understood from the list of the personages he is going to meet. He has planned to meet President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Verheugen and his staff will hold the pulses of the leaders on the issues of what has been done for the EU, what has yet to be done and what their expectations are. The impressions he will have in Ankara will play a key role in the future as they will form the basic structure of the "EU-Turkey Partnership Association Document" where the point Turkey has reached and mutual wishes will be written in a document to be penned in Brussels in Autumn. Verheugen will also gather information for the "Progress Report" to be written by the EU in the months of October and November. Among the areas he will gather information will be harmonization with the Copenhagen criteria, steps taken in human rights issues, the working tempo of the Turkish Government and problems concerning economic indicators. The representative will also hold talks in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. However, he will not meet with the representatives of the non-governmental organizations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated that such a meeting could be planned if he wished so. Last week Enlargement Commission Chairman Verheugen made a statement which carried great significance for Turkey. Verheugen, said that if the EU was late in admitting the candidates as full-members, these countries would be lost. He said, "If we cannot take in these candidates as full-members within eight or ten years period of time we shall lose 50% of them." Turkey was among those countries he thought would be lost. He explained why they would be lost with these words: "The expectations in those countries rose very high and difficult reforms were implemented. Some of these Governments where democracies and market economies are not fully developed can sink into an unparalelled instability." During recent years Turkey has taken great steps for the EU full-membership, left many of its old customs and began to talk about issues which were considered to be taboos not long ago. It even entered the Customs Union by taking risks in its economy. After all these, if full-membership is delayed by trivial excuses it will lead to psychological results. The relations with the EU have two aspects. One is the obligations by the candidate country and the other is the duties falling on the EU. In Turkey, there is the impression that the EU is not desirous to fulfil its own obligations. Therefore, Brussels should concentrate on their duties concerning these issues.

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