SEZER VISITS KIVRIKOGLU

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer visited Chief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu yesterday. When Sezer arrived at the General Staff, he was welcomed by Kivrikoglu with a military ceremony. Then Sezer signed the book of honor. The meeting was closed to the press. /Turkiye/

PRESIDENT SEZER REJECTS THE RECTORS LIST

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer rejected the list presented to him by Higher Education Board (YOK) concerning the elections of rectors for the Universities of 9 Eylül, Ynönü, 19 Mayys and Atatürk. Ahmet N. Sezer gave the rectors list back to YOK Chairman Prof. Dr. Kemal Gürüz to reconsider. YOK was criticized by the public for this reason. YOK changed the number of rector nominees from six to three after the elections held by 22 universities and sent the list between July7-10 to the presidency to be signed. For the first time in history, presidency has refused the rectors lists totally when Sezer sent it back to the YOK Chairman K. Guruz./Cumhuriyet/

DEMIREL TO ESTABLISH TURKISH-EUROPEAN FOUNDATION

Suleyman Demirel, the Ninth Turkish President, said that he would establish the Foundation of Turkish-European Union with the leading politicians and the former Prime Ministers in Europe in order to support the process of Turkey's full EU membership. The first meeting of this foundation, whose preliminary talks concerning its establishment were held by Demirel, will be held in Brussels in September. The aim of the Turkish-European Union Foundation is to promote Turkey abroad, to improve international relations and to prepare the Turkish nation for the process of Turkey's membership to the EU. /Turkiye/

GENERAL ATES MEETS ALIYEV

Commander of the Land Forces, General Atilla Ates, who is continuing his contacts in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, met the President of Azerbaijan, Haydar Aliyev. Azerbaijani official news agency, Azertac, said that during this meeting, issues regarding the military cooperation between the two countries were discussed. President Aliyev talked about Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's official visit to Azerbaijan and that relations between the two countries had improved in every field. Meanwhile, Ates said that he came to Baku upon the official invitation of the Minister of Defence, Sefer Abiyev, and added that they would exchange information on the projects to improve the structure of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. /Turkiye/

CIRAKMAN: "ARTICLE 312 IS NECESSARY"

Head of the Council of State, Erol Cirakman said, "Turkey has a very short past as a secure state and it is not possible to say that secure living style has completely been established in Turkey. Turkey is still in a transition period and to preserve the secure state base, we need Article 312." Cirakman, who will retire on Sep. 2nd, expressed his views after his farewell visit to the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA),Yildirim Akbulut. Recalling the claims that the abolition of the Article 312 was required for democracy and freedom, Cirakman stressed that before that there were a lot of things to do and many articles to be amended. He also emphasized that death penalty should be abolished. /Cumhuriyet/

CILLER PREPARES FOR `A NEW PATH'

True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller has been recently preparing to declare her new project named, `A New Path Manifesto' to the public to gather the center right in cooperation. The project, that was prepared by DYP research and development center, consists of three chapters under the headings of `Economic Liberalism, Political Liberalism, and New Right'. The preparation of the New Path Project, which Ciller had first mentioned last year at the DYP Congress is now completed. The New Path project, which is known as the updated version of DYP party program, the "Democracy Package", will be declared to public first in September and then offered to ANAP Chairman Mesut Yylmaz. /Turkiye/

ERTUG'S STATEMENT

After participating in the third round of proximity talks in Geneva, Switzerland, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Osman Ertug, went to the capital of Germany, Berlin, and organized a press conference at Berlin-Branderburg Turkish-German Association of Businessmen. During the press conference, Ertug gave information on the meetings in Geneva and said, "Even if the Greek-Cypriots meet all the criteria, they cannot be a member of the European Union (EU) if the problem of Cyprus is not solved. We have also alternatives. We can be integrated with Turkey but this cannot be made by annexation, but by a political and economic raprochement." /Turkiye/

YILMAZ DEFENDS ECONOMIC PROGRAM

Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz attended the opening ceremony of Suma Factory established in Tarsus by Turkish State Monopolies (TEKEL). Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Yilmaz said that the government is determined on continuing with the economic program and emphasized the powerful political will behind the program. Stating that Suma Factory will contribute a lot to the economic development of the region, Yilmaz said, " We have to be realistic and courageous at all costs for the success of the economic program. Since the coalition problems are solved, there is no obstacle to reach the goals we have set." Stating that Turkey is capable of solving all of its problems including inflation, Yilmaz pointed out that the unjust income distribution will be removed in parallel to the economic development. /Turkiye/

14TH ESTABLISHMENT ANNIVERSARY OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION

The 14th establishment anniversary of the Human Rights Organization (IHD) was celebrated at Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul yesterday. A group of thirty people including the Chairman of IHD's Istanbul Branch, Eren Keskin, attended the celebrations. Keskin said, "We will continue our struggle for democracy and human rights." /Aksam/

ANNOYANCE FOR IRANIAN MISSILES

Iran's test of a Sahap-3 missile with a 1,300 km range, has caused anxiety. Experts from the US said that the missiles threat Turkey most and added that entire Turkey would be under a possible missile threat by Tehran. It is stated that the missiles could carry nuclear heads in five years. Experts also emphasized that Turkey should develop her anti-missile defence. /Cumhuriyet/

HELICOPTER BIDDING

The period of evaluation concerning 145 tactics-attack helicopters bidding, which is planned to be purchased by the Turkish Armed Forces for the year 2000, is in its final stage. The final evaluation of the proposals that are given by the companies, is expected to be made during the meeting that will be chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and that will be organized by the Executive Board of Defence Industry on 21 July. /Turkiye/

CRACK DOWNS ON PKK CONTINUE

According to a statement issued by the Governorship of the State of Emergency Region, during crack downs against PKK terrorists in the last 15 days in Hakkari, Diyarbakir and Mardin, security forces have seized a lot of weapons and ammunition. In the Yuksekova district of Hakkari, 19 people, related to various bombing attacks were also captured. /Cumhuriyet/

WOMAN IN DIRECTORATE OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

Head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, whose speeches on women rights are well-known, plans to appoint a woman to the Religious Affairs High Council. Yilmaz wants one of four persons to be appointed to the High Council to be a woman. Yilmaz offered the position to the Assc. Prof. Mualla Selcuk, Theology Faculty. /Sabah/

NATIONAL YOUTH CAMP

Kemalist Thought Associations and Republican Thought Associations in universities, will arrange a "National Youth Camp" in Akkuyu, Mersin on August 3-9 to protest building of nuclear power plants. The spokesman of the campaign said that Anti-Nuclear People's Assembly consisting of 50 organizations will host the camp. A number of artists, academicians and members of non-governmental organizations are also expected to attend the camp. /Cumhuriyet/

PRIVATIZATION CONTINUES

The Privatization Administration (OIB) continues its privatization activities. The cost of the OIB's privatization activities reached $ 2,6 billion since the beginning of this year. With this figure, OIB has achieved the half of its target set for this year. OIB had determined the total amount as $ 5,2 billion. /Sabah/

ORAL: " 2001 WILL BE A TURNING POINT "

Finance Minister Sumer Oral said, "2001 will be a turning point for a single-digit inflation ." Stating that 2001 is in the middle of the three-year economic program, Oral said that next year the economic balance will be maintained. Oral added that he closely followed France during the budget preparations and regarded France as an example. /Star/

MOODY'S TO UPGRADE TURKEY'S CREDIT

A member of the administrative board of Moody's Credit Rating company, David H. Levey said that the Turkish government's policies on economy were on the right track. Answering the questions of Anatolia Agency, Levey said that Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz's entering to the Coalition was an important sign of the harmony in the coalition government and political stability. Levey said, "The government is pursuing a stable policy with the full support of the parliament. All the reforms are being carried out in compliance with the economic program. We have a positive opinion and will examine Turkey's credit grade next month". Last year in November, Moody's did not change the credit grade "B1", but situation of the economy was considered "positive" instead of "stagnant". /Hurriyet/

100 MILLION DOLLARS CREDIT TO KORFEZBANK

Korfezbank signs a syndication credit agreement on 21 July in London with Arab Banking Corporation, ING Barings, KBC Bank N.V., Natexis Banques Popularies, Standard Chartered and Commerzbank A.G. The $100 million credit of which due date is one year will be used in financing the exports. /Hurriyet/

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

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FROM THE RELATIONS WITH THE EU? BY ILTER TURKMEN (HURRIYET)

Former Ambassador comments on the appointment of the Motherland Party's leader Mesut Yilmaz as the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the relations with the EU. A summary of his column is as follows: "The appointment of Mesut Yilmaz as the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the studies to be conducted in preparation for the process of EU full-membership is a positive development. Yilmaz is undertaking an institutional and direct responsibility in the Coalition. This responsibility cannot be limited with the relations with the EU. Yilmaz may and must play a key role in the direction of the policies and studies of the 57th Government. The other two partners in the Coalition are proving every day that they are rowing against the currents of globalization and regionalization witnessed throughout the world. Mesut Yilmaz is the leader of the only party in the Coalition which is open to the world and believes in politicial and economic liberilaziton. It is pleasing that Yilmaz will mainly concentrate on the relations with the EU. The ANAP leader has recently given constructive messages both on democratization and the importance of EU membership for Turkey. He also pointed out the presence of a large group which is disturbed by the integration with Europe. It was recalled that following the Helsinki Summit he had said that the path to EU passed through Diyarbakir. Time will tell how effective Yilmaz can be in changing the contradictory statements issued, policies of tension, delay, and negligence displayed by the Government in its relations with the EU. Yilmaz has to display a more flexible and careful approach in his negotiation style and refrain from offending his counterparts by harsh statements. In order to avoid friction between the Foreign Ministry and Yilmaz, Prime Minister Ecevit has decided that Yilmaz will only be responsible for the coordination efforts concerning the relations with the EU. However, it is not possible for the deputy Prime Minister to be left out of the dialogue between the EU institutions and officials. Who else can conduct these dialogues covering a wide political, legal, economic and social area better than the coordinating Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary General attached to him? The most critical point of the EU membership process is to start the negotiations as soon as possible. However, no strides have been taken to fulfil the necessary conditions to start the negotiations until now. If we do not set a deadline for the start of the negotiations as 2004 at the latest and arrange ourselves according to this, if we do not leave our concerns on the Copenhagen criteria which do not in any way go against the basic principles of our Republic, if we continue to delay the necessary legal and administrative reforms and hope that Cyprus and the Aegean problems will be solved by themselves miraculously, the negotiations will continously be postponed and the issue of membership will be shelved just as it had been done before. A large majority of the Turkish public is expecting the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to bring a momentum to the membership process by cooperation."

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