SEZER DUE IN AZERBAIJAN

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is going to Azerbaijan today to pay an official visit at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and a high-level bureaucrats will accompany him. During two-day visit, Sezer will give the message that Turkey is determined to improve relations with Azerbaijan. During the meetings, delegations will evaluate the final situation of the energy ventures, and an agreement, regarding the purchase of the Azerbaijani natural gas is also expected to be signed. /Cumhuriyet/

NO REACTION FROM ANKARA

As the third round of the proximity talks are continuing, Ankara shows no reaction to the recent tension experienced between the army and government in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and developments regarding the case of taking into custody of six people for spying charges. Turkish Foreign Ministry announced, "TRNC is an independent state. This subject is a matter concerning TRNC itself." /Cumhuriyet/

CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS

The Cyprus proximity talks currently being held in Geneva since July 5 will recess on Wednesday until July 24. According to diplomatic sources there are no sign of easing the differences between the two sides on the Island. The UN is expected to use the break to present new ideas to the sides. /Turkish Daily News/

RECAI KUTAN VISITS YILDIRIM AKBULUT

The leader of the Virtue Party (FP), Recai Kutan has met the representatives of other political parties to discuss the amendment of the article 312 of Turkish Penal Code, by which the former leader of Welfare party, Necmettin Erbakan was convicted. After visiting the Speaker of the Parliament, Yildirim Akbulut, Kutan said that they would not call the Parliament for a meeting, but he insisted on the formation of a commission consisting of the represantatives of all parties to work on the amendments of article 312. Akbulut, on the other hand, said,"There appeared a consensus on the issue of amendment of the Constitution. Regarding the article 312, it is not possible to abolish it totally. It is agreed that there should be limits on delicate issues, such as, unity and integrity of the state and the society and prevention of exploiting religion for political purposes". The Minister of State Rustu Kazim Yucelen said that the abolishment of the article 312 would be like removing "the protective armour of the state" Yucelen said,"State has to protect itself. The wording of Article 312 may be rather harsh, but it can be rewritten." /Turkiye/

VERHEUGEN TO VISIT TURKEY

Gunter Verheugen, EU Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement, is coming to Turkey on Thursday. On the first day of his visit, Verheugen will go to Kayseri accompanied by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Verheugen will meet with the human rights organizations on the second day of his visit. He will observe steps taken by Turkey in line with the Copenhagen Criteria and after that he is going to report on the developments. /Cumhuriyet/

MEHMET ALI AGCA OFFENDS VATICAN

Mehmet Ali Agca, the murderer of Milliyet's editor-in-chief, Abdi Ipekci, was extradited from Italy to Turkey last month. He stood trial yesterday. Agca accused the Vatican of being the "enemy of God and humanity" in an outburst in court. Agca shouted that he launched a cultural war against the Vatican. Later Agca's lawyer distributed a handwritten statement. In the statement, it is argued that the assasination of Pope was arranged by the Vatican itself. As Agca wanted to read out the statement in the court, he was warned by the judge. Agca, who did not accept any of the accusations directed against himself, was sent to the prison again. /Hurriyet/

PAPANDREOU'S MESSAGE TO ECEVIT

Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Papandreou, stated that they received Turkey's concern with understanding regarding the possibility of Aegean's turning out to be a closed sea. Papandreou added, "If Turkey has concerns on the issue, this can be solved as long as Turkey does not want half of the Aegean. We are preparing to discuss this issue with Turkey on the table." Papandreou spoke to the Greek 'Ta Nea' daily, saying, "Greece's basic principle is to solve the problems through the peaceful ways by respecting the territorial integrity as part of the international laws and agreements. A while ago, Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that they were afraid of Aegean's being a closed sea. If it is a problem, we think that these kinds of problems can be solved without damaging the rights of sovereignty." /Hurriyet/

TWO PLANE CRASHES

At two separate plane crashes, one in the Ayvalik district of Balikesir and the other at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, five people, two of them pilots, have been wounded. In Ayvalik, a four-people private plane, crashed after it had taken off. The pilot, Turgut Kilicoglu and three passengers in the plane were wounded. In the other crash, a "Cesna 182" type plane went off the runway. The pilot of the plane Hakan Aykanat was taken to hospital. /Turkiye/

HEAT-WAVE CONTINUES

Meteorologists said that extremely high temperatures affecting daily life in Turkey will continue until the end of the week. State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu stated that 13th July, Thursday will be the hottest day of summer. Mirzaoglu said that the temperatures will be above 40 degrees in certain cities including Ankara on Thursday. Meanwhile, due to the high temperatures, the decrease in the water level of Keban, Karakaya and Ataturk Dams reached % 47. The decrease affected the production of electricity. The production of electricity will diminish by % 40. As a temporary measure, the thermic and natural gas plants will be used. However, if high temperatures continue and if there is no rain in autumn, Turkey will experience winter days with power cuts. /Sabah/

MEASURES FOR ENERGY CRISIS

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Cumhur Ersumer stated that due to the high temperatures, the production of electricity decreased and this decrease might cause an energy crisis in winter. The bureaucrats of Ministry of Energy cancelled their summer holidays due to the emergency of the conditions. In the successive meetings, the water level of the dams are being closely followed and new water and energy programs are being discussed. Mirzaoglu announced the measures taken to cope with the energy crisis: The energy requirements of Van, Silopi, Mardin and Siirt were met by four mobile power plants. Four mobile power plants will be imported also for Ankara, Isparta and two cities. Floating power plants will be ordered for Izmir and Antalya. /Sabah/

BORAY URAS STARTS "RAILWAY WALK"

Boray Uras, who walked from Istanbul to Ankara to draw public attention to the high rate of traffic accidents after the death of her daughter, will start a "railway walk" from Ataturk's Mauseleum on 20 September in Ankara. Uras who received great public support during his long walk said," The murderer of of our children is the automobile lobby which prevents the development of other means of transportation". Uras said that railway transportation, which is 83 times safer than highways was hampered by the efforts of this lobby. /Cumhuriyet/

PRECAUTIONS FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

A member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Traffic Accidents Investigation Commission, and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Deputy from Nevsehir, Ismail Cevik asserted that drivers under the influence of alcohol who cause death should be tried with the charge of "killing someone on purpose". Stressing that the importance of human life was priceless, Cevik, said, "Beginning from Diyarbakir, we will hold meetings in Istanbul and Antalya with the participation of experts and high level authorities of the cities and we will discuss the necessary precautions which should be taken to prevent accidents. After preparing a report concerning our work, we will present it to the TGNA." /Turkiye/

TEI WINS THE AWARD OF DEFENCE INDUSTRY

TUSAS Engine Industry (TEI) was deemed worthy of the 'Year 2000 Defence Industry Award' by the Turkish-American Council due to its performance in production and development. In a statement issued by the General Director of the TEI, Tayfun Mutlu, it was stated, "The aim of TEI for the year 2000, which exports 70% of its production, is to increase its production to 72.3 million dollars and to reach an export level of 54.2 million dollars. In addition, as part of the agreement made with NATO, TEI will revise the AWACS planes and a protocol was signed with the French Turbemeco Company to produce the Cougar helicopters." /Aksam/

BORROWING LAW TO BE ENACTED

The government promised to IMF that it would enact a law that would base the public financing and the borrowing on a principle and that would bring new limits and conditions to borrowing. In the additional letter of intention, that was ratified by the Executive Board of the IMF, it was stated that a law regarding the administering of public financing and borrowing would be presented to the Turkish National Grand Assembly by the end of this year. /Cumhuriyet/

DAIMLER-CHRYSLER'S MEETING ENDS

The world's third biggest automotive company, Daimler-Chrysler, held a meeting at Ciragan Hotel, also attended by the ninth Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and the Chairman of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel. During the meeting, Ercel issued a speech and answered the questions of the guests about the Turkish economy. During this meeting, it was stated that Turkey was trying to solve its problem of energy through the build-operate-transfer system. In addition, McKinsey and Company's General Director to Turkey, David Meen, made a presentation during this meeting and pointed out the potential of the Turkish economy and the positive steps that Turkey took. Meen stated that he believed that Turkey would be successful in its economic policies. /Milliyet/

TURKEY'S CREDIT RATE TO INCREASE

After seeing the results of the first six months of the economic programme, the markets hope that the international rating company, Moodys, will increase Turkey's rating. An economist from Garanti Bank, Volkan Kurt, said, "Moodys might increase Turkey's rating during the third or last quarter of the year. It is most likely that Moodys will increase Turkey to the category of B. In addition, S and P might increase Turkey's rating at the beginning of the year 2001. This increase might be made when it is observed that the share of the interest expenses in the tax incomes decrease to a great extent." /Milliyet/

TURKCELL IS IN NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGES

Turkcell shares are going to be traded in the New York Stock Exchanges as of today after the company offered shares worth $1.9 billion to private investors. Trading of shares in the New York Stock Market will begin with the speech of Market Chairman Richard Grosso and sounding of the gong by the chairman of the executive board of Cukurova Holding Company, Mehmet Emin Karamehmet. In Turkey, trading of Turkcell shares will start either today or tomorrow with decision of Istanbul Stock Exhanges. Before trading begins, two seperate ceremonies will be held both in New York Stock Market and the world's big financial centre, the Wall Street. During the break at noon street celebrations will begin for Turkcell in New York during which the main theme will be Turkey and her interesting characteristics./Hurriyet/

350,000 INVESTORS BOUGHT TURKCELL SHARES

Price of a Turkcell share offered to public was determined to be TL44,000. Of the total public offer, 305,171 were domestic investors who bought 3.3 million lots of Turkcell shares whilst 371 foreign investment funds have bought over $1 billion. Turkcell announced that the total sales in Turkey was 29 percent of total public offering./Hurriyet/

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

GREEN LIGHT TO AZERBAIJANI GAS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen writes on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's visit to Azerbaijan. A summary of his column is as follows: "President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is making his second visit abroad, to Azerbaijan after the TRNC because of the significance attached. This visit not only shows the priority and importance Turkey gives to Azerbaijan, but also the institutionalization of relations with this friendly state. When the personal relationship between the ninth President Suleyman Demirel and his Azerbaijani counterpart Haidar Aliyev is recalled, Sezer's visit to Baku reveals that the relations between the two states has been established on a sound basis. Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are not only based on many common values such as language, religion and culture, but also a real partnership depending upon strategic and economic interests. In other words, the relations between the two countries have entered a rational and practical phase. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's visit should be evaluated in the light of these developments. This visit will provide an opportunity for Sezer and Aliyev to know each other. At the same time the President will exchange opinions with Aliyev on matters concerning both countries. Sezer will find the chance to convey Ankara's close interest and support to the Azerbaijani people and the Turkish world. However, this is a 'working visit' at the same time. The most interesting issue at the talks in Baku will be the natural gas project. Following the exploration of rich natural gas reserves in Azerbaijan, both the Aliyev Administration and the consortium led by BP-AMOCO suggested some of its transport to Turkey. This project may be implemented easily and in a very short time. When this project was first proposed, Turkmenistan gas was considered. The competition between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan did not make things easier. At the time Turkey was giving priority to both the "Blue Stream" project and the Eurasia Corridor project. Therefore, Turkey was hesitant to accept the proposal coming from Baku immediately. However, it seems that the situation is a little bit different now. The hitches observed in the Turkmen gas project shows that this will remain on the shelf for some time. Therefore, Turkey believes that it will be wise to buy Azerbaijani gas. According to officials, during Sezer's visit this message will be conveyed to Azerbaijan and the consortium. In other words, it will be announced that Turkey is ready for the Azerbaijani gas project. Certainly, this is not an alternative for the Turkmen gas project. Following the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project which is said to have reached its final stages, the implementation of the natural project which will be discussed during the talks between Sezer and Aliyev will bring an additional impetus to the partnership between the two countries."

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