SEZER'S LETTER TO YOK

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a letter explaining the reasons of his veto, to Higher Education Board (YOK) yesterday. The President requested YOK to follow the democratic rules in the administation of the universities. Sezer critisized the elections in 9 Eylul, Inonu and Ataturk Universities and claimed that YOK abused its authority and violated the principles of law. YOK held a meeting upon Sezer's veto and his letter. It is stated that the members agreed on returning the list without any changes to Sezer. However, Head of YOK, Prof. Dr. Kemal Gurbuz said that the final decision will be given at the second meeting on Friday. /Hurriyet/

CALENDAR FOR DEMOCRATIZATION

Prime Ministry Human Rights Coordination High Board prepared a schedule entitled "The calender of democracy, superiority of law and human rights" which covers Turkey's revisions in judicial system within the framework of Copenhagen criteria during the process of Turkey's full EU membership. The schedule includes 52 articles to be completed by the end of 2002. The head of the board, Minister of State Rustu Kazim Yucelen said, "We also presented the report to Gunter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement and he welcomed it." Yucelen said that the legal arrangements to abolish the death penalty was planned to be made in 2001 and he also added that the structure of the National Security Council (MGK) would be amended in favour of the civilians. /Sabah/

8OTH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL GUARD

80th anniversary of the establishment of the Presidential Guard was celebrated yesterday in Ankara. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Yildirim Akbulut, Premier Bulent Ecevit, Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu and Force Commanders attended the ceremony. /Turkiye/

ECEVIT'S ANSWER TO VERHEUGEN

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit issued a statement concerning the European Union's (EU) Commissioner responsible for Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen's words, "Allow the Kurdish televisions and the Kurdish education", by saying, "They accepted Turkey's candidacy to the EU because they knew about our sensitivity about this issue." Ecevit evaluated his meeting with Verheugen during the press conference at the Prime Ministry. Answering a question posed by a journalist, "Were the Kurdish TV and the Kurdish education on the agenda?" Ecevit said, "Verheugen also asked for this issue to be given permission on the issue but we have not talked about it during our meeting." Ecevit added, "Turkey's targets concerning democracy and human rights are more comprehensive than the targets that are considered by the EU. The targets that were put forward by Verheugen were met already. For example, he wanted the human rights courses to be given at the police academies and we started to do this even before Turkey became candidate of the EU." /All papers/

NATO CONTROLS EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE IDENTITY

The discussions about the relations between EU and NATO ended the day before yesterday. It was decided that NATO has the right to control European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) at all times and in every stage. These decisions will be conveyed to the EU by NATO Secretary General George Robertson and it is stated that there will be no bargaining with EU. Authorities from NATO said that it was not easy to reach a consensus on every issue among the members of NATO. The decisions are interpreted as NATO's attempt to protect the allied European countries which are not EU members. It is stated that Turkey, uneasy with the recent developments about European Security and Defense Identity, was influential in determining NATO's stance over the issue. /Hurriyet/

YILMAZ ON TURKEY`S FULL EU MEMBERSHIP

Deputy Prime Minister responsible for coordination with European Union (EU) Mesut Yilmaz said that Turkey has to remove all its shortcomings according to EU criteria. Yilmaz stated that the first step that would be taken for full EU membership is to eliminate the restrictions on the rights of thought and expression. He added these isues were mentioned in the government protocol. Stating that Turkey has to take the further steps for the development of South East Anatolian Region, Yilmaz said, " Since the problem of terrorism is eliminated, we have to take the necessary steps which could not be taken in the past. This is essential for Turkey's full EU membership." /Hurriyet/

DENKTAS: "JULY 20 IS OUR BIRTHDAY"

As part of the celebrations of the "July 20 Peace and Freedom", President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas received Turkish military delegation headed by Rear-admiral Ozer Karabulut. During the reception, stressing that July 20 was a new birthday for Turkish-Cypriots, Denktas said, "Mass graves fairly showed us what would happen, if the Peace Operation had not been carried out." Meanwhile, celebrations for the 26th anniversary of the "July 20 Peace and Freedom Feast" are continuing with various cultural and art events. Today, President Rauf Denktas will address Turkish-Cypriots from Bayrak Radio and Television. /Turkiye/

BILL CLINTON'S HARSH REPLY TO ARMENIANS

Sending a letter to Frank Pallone, one of the deputies in the Armenian lobby which accuses Turkey with unfounded claims, the US President Bill Clinton praised Ankara for its recent efforts in human rights and democracy areas. Recalling that judges from military have not taken place in State Security Courts (DGM), legal precautions were taken against torture, Clinton also emphasized that PKK terrorist activities decreased a great deal in the southeastern region. Pallone, a deputy of Democrat Party from New Jersey, had written a letter to Clinton previously. Objecting to US selling attack helicopters to Turkey, Pallone asserted that Turkey would use those helicopters against her neighbours, including Armenia, in violation of human rights. /Turkiye/

GOSSES' STATEMENT

Holland's Ambassador to Ankara, Sjoerd Isaak Hendrik Gosses, attended the meeting, organized by the Association of Turkish Young Businessmen (ANGIAD) during which he evaluated the relations between Holland and Turkey and answered the questions concerning the Cyprus problem. Gosses said, "The problem of Cyprus should be certainly solved, before Cyprus being a member of the European Union." /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY A KEY COUNTRY

Turkey may have a key role in the global defense against Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian long-range ballistic missiles. Iran is expected to develop nuclear bomb until 2003 and is still working on a 5000 km range missile. Ground Forces Commander General Atilla Ates and US Europe Ground Forces and Seventh Army Commander General Montgomery C. Meigs will meet on 20 July to discuss "mutual missile defense structure". During his recent visit to Turkey US President Bill Clinton had given information about National Missile Defense (NMD) Program which was developed by Washington administration and recommended Turkish authorities setting anti-ballistic missile ramps within the framework of this program. /Cumhuriyet/

TWO NEW NATURAL GAS POWER PLANTS

The foundation stones of two natural gas power plants which will be established by Intergen-Enka consortium will be laid today in Gebze and Adapazari. Head of Enka Holding, Sarik Tara said, " These power plants which will cost $ 2,2 billion will be bigger than the ones in Europe. With electricity obtained from these plants, we can maintain a production reaching $ 50 billion. This is a revolution.". Inter-Enka consortium, which is going to run the plants, plans to build another natural gas power plant also in Izmir. Stating that power plants will begin to operate in 2002, Tara said, " From then, there will be no electricity shortage in Turkey anymore." /Hurriyet/

STATE ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES TO SIGN A PROTOCOL

The third of the meetings during which the structural problems of the State Economic Enterprises (SEE) were discussed, was held at the Prime Ministry and chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan. Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral, Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy Yurdakul Yigitguden and the General Directors of SEE companies attended the meeting, which lasted for nearly two hours. Treasury Undersecretary Demiralp stated that Turkish Electricity Production and Transportation Joint Stock Company (TEAS), Turkish Electricity Distribution Joint Stock Company (TEDAS) and Petroleum Transportation by Pipelines Joint Stock Company (BOTAS) will sign a triple protocol, which will arrange the three SEE companies' relations with each other. /Milliyet/

SHELL'S INTEREST IN TURKMEN GAS

Deputy Chairman of Shell Petroleum Company, Jeroen Vander Veer, visited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and said that their interest in the natural gas project which envisages transportation of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey was continuing. Veer will attend three ceremonies today during which the foundation of three electricity power plants will be laid in Adapazari. /Aksam/

TREASURY BIDDING'S RESULT

Treasury sold nominal 996.7 trillion TL during the twelve-months-term bond bidding yesterday. The proposals amounting to 2 quadrillion 900 billion were received during the Treasury's second bidding in July and the net amount of sale was 751.9 trillion. The average interest rate became 32.55%, minimum interest rate became 31.80% and the maximum interest rate became 32.85%. Treasury will pay an internal debt amounting to a total of 755 trillion 18 billion TL today. /Sabah/

15 YEARS IN PRIVATIZATION PROCESS

The Minister of State responsible for privatization, Yuksel Yalova, said that year-to-date privatization totalled $2.97 billion and the total privatization proceeds including cash, dividends and other resources amounted to $7.7 billion during the 1985-2000 period. Over the said period $2.3 billion in cash proceeds were transfered to Treasury, he said. Yalova added that if the target of privatization in 2000 is reached, there will be only 18 State Economic Enterprises left to be privatized. Yalova said that the transfer of oil retailer Petrol Ofisi A.S.(POAS) to the Isbank-Dogan Holding consortium would be completed before the deadline, which is next Monday. /Cumhuriyet/

IFC AND BANVIT BECOME PARTNERS

BANVIT, which is one of the biggest chicken producers in Turkey, and the International Finance Company (IFC) signed an agreement of licence and partnership. In the investment project, which amounts to 78 million dollars and which includes the slaughterhouse, fodder factory, data processing centre and new incubation facilities, IFC and BANVIT reached a consensus concerning financing and licencing. IFC will buy a share from BANVIT for 1/3 of the shares and will ensure a loan of 20 million dollars. /Aksam/

TURCO-GREEK CHAIN OF PEACE

18 Turkish, Greek and French young people met in Paris, France, within the framework of a project that was started by the Odyssee Club, which is operating under the auspices of UNESCO, due to the year of international peace and culture. This project, which started with the participation of the Turkish and Greek youth for the first time this year, aims at forming a universal chain of peace with the participation of these two countries in the year 2001. /Cumhuriyet/

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MILLIYET

The 50th anniversary of the daily Milliyet was celebrated yesterday at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul yesterday. Politicians, artists, businessmen and members of the media world attended the celebration. There were special shows including music and dancing at the ceremony. /Milliyet/

COSTA ATLANTICA TO ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL

Costa Atlantica, which is one of the largest travel ferries in the world, will arrive in Istanbul tomorrow. Costa Atlantica was constructed for 335 million dollars in the dockyards of Finlandia and will bring nearly 3,000 tourists to Istanbul until the end of October. Costa Atlantica, which carries an Italian flag, has swimming pools, bars, casinos, shopping and beauty centres, theatres and concert halls. /Aksam/

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF MARMARIS WELCOMES YOUTH

International Academy of Marmaris (IAM), which is located in Marmaris' village of Turunc, is the host of the European Union's youth project until 22 July. Within the framework of the project, various young theatre groups from Greece, Israel, Germany and Turkey are going to hold various activities. Young artists will stage a play entitled 'Bilge Nathan' as a common project in their own languages at Marmaris Castle. /Turkiye/

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

EXPECTATIONS OF THE EU BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the relations with the EU. A summary of his columnn is as follows: "In Turco-EU relations is there a serious friction between the expectations of the EU and the opinions of Ankara? The news appearing in the press following EU Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen's meetings has created an impression that there was. It was stated that Verhaugen had presented a draft to the Turkish side and conditions such as granting permission for a Kurdish television, education in Kurdish were put forth in the draft. It was also pointed out that the TRNC was ignored in the chapter of the draft concerning Cyprus. Therefore, it was mentioned that the draft had caused unease in Ankara. Yesterday, Prime Minister Ecevit in answer to journalists said that there was not a draft to speak of and they had only exchanged views with Verheugen. He also added that Turkey had taken important steps towards EU membership and Turkey could reach its target for EU membership earlier than expected. In fact, during his contacts in Ankara, Verheugen presented a paper to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Officials describe this, as the first draft of 'Participation Partnership Document'. In the words of officials, this 'paper' does not present 'official proposals', but 'inexplicit opinions'. Verheugen has felt the need to express his opinions to the Turkish side and hold consultations with Turkish officials over these within the framework of the preparations concerning the 'Participation Partnership Document'. Certainly this was a correct decision as some of the ideas on the 'paper' has led to reactions on the Turkish side. Thus, Verheugen has learnt the views of the Turkish Government more clearly. The 'paper' Verheugen has brought to Ankara states the expectations of the EU from Turkey. This draft was penned very carefully. The words 'minority' or 'Kurd' were not used. At the beginning of the draft which referred to the decisions taken at Helsinki, the conditions Turkey has to fulfil were recalled. It is not surprising to see that there is no reference to the TRNC in the text, as they do not recognize such a state and no one expects them to do so. Certainly the EU would like Turkey to take steps to comply with the Copenhagen criteria. This necessitates radical changes in certain laws. The abolition of death penalty, amendment of Article 302, an end to restrictions on the freedom of expression are some of them. Prime Minister Ecevit believes that the report of the 'Human Rights Coordinator High Council' has gone beyond the expectations of the EU. That is, if this report is adopted by the Government and implemented. Although words like Kurd or minority are not mentioned in the draft, the expectations of the EU on lingual and cultural rights are well-known. In fact, Turkish side has expressed its views on these issues to Verheugen. It was stated that, the 'individiual rights' of every Turkish citizen can be mentioned instead of 'minority rights'. In short we can say that, EU and Ankara do not share the same views on some points to be mentioned in the 'Participation Partnership Document'. The aüim of this visit is to lessen these differences as much as possible. Meanwhile, Turkey has to work hard on its 'homework' if there is no slackening in its will to integrate with the EU."

OLD ISSUES