SEZER RECEIVES RETIRED WORKERS

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received Chairman of All Retired Workers Association Ismail Arslan, members of its Executive Council, the Chairman of Turkish Retired Workers Society and a delegation consisting of retired workers. President Sezer listened the complaints of the retired workers on Social Security Law and Social Insurance Institution. Sezer said that the living standard of the retired workers should be elevated. /Hurriyet/

SEZER: "TURKEY'S SUPPORT WILL CONTINUE"

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a message to President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, to mark the 26th anniversary of the July 20 Peace and Freedom Feast. In his message, stressing that Peace Operation was a symbol of the determination of preserving Turkish-Cypriots' freedom and independence, Sezer said that Turkey would continue to support TRNC in all aspects. /Turkiye/

PEACE AND FREEDOM IN CYPRUS FOR 26 YEARS

26th anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation is being celebrated on the island. Official ceremonies have begun with the speech of President of TRNC, Rauf Denkta?, through radios and televisions. Turkey will be represented by the State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu and Turkish Armed Forces by Ilhami Erdil. It was learnt that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit would not participate in the official ceremony since proximity talks' on Cyprus issue were still going on. Official ceremonies began with canon fires of 21 times in Lefkosa. TGNA Speaker Yildirim Akbulut, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and True Path Party leader Tansu Ciller have sent messages to President Rauf Denkta? celebrating 26th Anniversary of the Peace Operation. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stressed in his message that peace came to Cyprus with the Peace Operation. He said, "In spite of the cruel embargoes implemented on you, Turkish-Cypriots under your leadership, were able to take big steps on the way of development and welfare. In every difficult moment, Turkish-Cypriots found Turkey and Turks supporting them and continue to do so in the future." In his message Ecevit said "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an independent and democratic state, which is an undeniable fact, and all the world shall come to realize this fact sooner or later". Ecevit also added that the independence of Cyprus was also important in view of the security of Turkey. /Turkiye/

TENSION AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD

The veto of the list of the rectorial candidates by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will be taken up at the meeting of the Higher Education Board (YOK) tomorrow. During the meeting which will be headed by YOK Chairman Kemal Guruz, the alternatives such as returning the list to the President without any changes, presenting the list after making certain arrangements or resignation of the Board will be discussed. Sezer's veto was supported by both the Government and Opposition, while judicial circles said that Sezer had the right to send back the list. /Turkiye/

TORCH OF FREEDOM TO BE GIVEN TO DEMIREL

Suleyman Demirel, the ninth President of Turkey, will be given the 'Torch of Freedom' by the American Foundation of Capital International with a ceremony on 28 July. Demirel, who is preparing to move to his new office, is expected to make new initiatives in autumn. Meanwhile, Demirel still has close contacts with the government. During the last two months he met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, Minister of Public Works and Housing, Koray Aydin, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Cumhur Ersumer and Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral. Demirel also welcomed Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev, Secretary General Responsible for Relations with the European Union, Ambassador Volkan Vural and Turkey's former Ambassador to Washington, Nuzhet Kandemir. /Milliyet/

VERHEUGEN CONTRADICTS ALLEGATIONS

The Spokesman for Gunter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement, Jean-Christophe Flori said that during Verheugen's recent visit to Turkey, "Kurds" and "Kurdish education and television" were not mentioned and the rumours covered in the media were baseless. Emphasizing that during the talks with Turkish authorities, Turco-EU relations were discussed comprehensively, Flori said that Verheugen had presented a "draft document", expressing EU's expectations from Turkey. He added that the document was not a formal one and did not include the words above. Meanwhile, authorities from Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Verheugen presented a "non-paper" which was not formal and it did not include expressions of "Kurds" and "minorities". /Turkiye/

US SUPPORT TO TURKEY

38 Senators of the US Congress wrote a letter to the American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, stating that they were supporting the sale of attack helicopters and other defence equipments to Turkey without a problem. In the letter Senators said, "We want to point out our support to the strong cooperation in defence sector with Turkey by this letter. We will work with you in the following months so that the Congress will approve of the sale of attack helicopters and the defence equipment to Turkey. The government, chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit made very effective changes in recent months. The election of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who attaches great importance to democratic principles, law and the freedom of expression, proves the fact that Turkey is going through an important process." /Cumhuriyet/

SHAHAB-3 MISSILE TEST CAUSES CONCERN IN TURKEY

Iran's Shahab-3 Missile Test has created sensitivity in Turkey. Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that the developments were being closely watched. The Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Dirioz stated that the efforts at arming in neighbouring countries were a cause of concern. The Foreign Ministry expressed Turkey's sensitivity over the test to Iran's Ambassador Mohammad Hossein Lavasani during his visit to Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday. Meeting with Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary responsible for the Middle East Ugur Ziyal, Lavasani said that Iran's missile test did not pose any threat to other countries. /Hurriyet/

"TURKISH RECEPTION" IN WASHINGTON

For the first time, at the US Congress building, a "Turkish Reception" was organized to attract the foreign investors to invest in Turkey and to show the Turco-American joint business potential. In addition to Turkish Ambassador to Washington Baki Ilkin, the new American Ambasssador to Ankara who is expected to begin his duty in September, Robert Pearson and a number of deputies from Democrat and Republican Parties and senators attended the reception. During his speech, Ambassador Baki Ylkin said that colaitian partners worked in harmony and called American businessmen to invest in Turkey. /Turkiye/

FRANKFURTER RUNDSCHAU: "OCALAN STILL GIVES ORDERS TO PKK"

Frankfurter Runschau which is one of the leading papers of Germany said that Abdullah Ocalan still gives execution orders to be carried out within the PKK from the prison. Athens correspondent of the paper Gerd Hohler argued that Ocalan accused the militants who did not obey his orders with betrayal and gives orders of their immediate killings. It is also argued that certain German organizations which are involved with the issue sent a letter to PKK Central Committee and critisized Ocalan's execution orders since PKK demanded the abolishment of the death penalty in Turkey. /Hurriyet/

HEAVY BLOW TO PKK TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN GERMANY

Federal Constitutonal Court in Germany ruled to ban the activities of an affiliate organisation of the PKK, named as "Kurdistan Committee". In the decision of the Federal Court in the city Karlsruhe, it was said : "An association that supports the terrorist organisation increases the security risks emanating from the activities of said organization even though it has used legal methods. Thus, an atmosphere of sympathy is developed by this way, which in turn, strenghten the effect of propaganda followed by terorist activities". /Turkiye/

GREEN LIGHT FOR THE WIND ENERGY

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday received the members of the Economic Development Foundation in the Aegean and told them that as the Government, they had decided to encourage investments concerning the wind energy. Chairman of the Aegean Commercial Stock Exchanges, Tugrul Yemisci, issued a statement after the visit and said, "The wind energy power plant that was established in Alacati is running very well and the companies, which made commitments for the other plants, will complete the said investments by the second half of the year 2001." /Cumhuriyet/

JUDICIAL HOLIDAY BEGINS

Judicial holiday began as of yesterday. During the holiday the courts on duty will work and the delegations on duty will work at the Council of State, High Court of Appeals, Military Court of Appeals and the Military Supreme Executive Court. The new judicial year will begin in September 2000. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court and the State Security Court will not be able to make use of this holiday. /Cumhuriyet/

HOPE OF NATURAL GAS IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Turkish Petroleum Joint Stock Company (TPAO) and the biggest US natural gas management company, El Paso, formed a partnership to search natural gas in Iskenderun and Mersin. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy, Yurdakul Yigitguden, stated that the problem of the energy shortage would be solved thanks to the electricity investment that will be completed in the year 2002. /Aksam/

TOYOTA AND MITSUI FIRMS VISIT ECEVIT

Acting Chairman of Executive Board of Sabanci Holding, Sevket Sabanci and high-level representatives of TOYOTA and Mitsui Companies yesterday visited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. The meeting was closed to press. After the meeting, Sabanci said that they made certain structural changes in Toyotasa Holding which was established by the partnership of Toyota-Mitsui and Sabanci Holding. Sabanci stated that they had high targets and explained them and the structural changes directly to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers. He added that the Japanese trusted Turkey and the partnership between Sabanci Holding and Toyota is a proof of this trust. /Hurriyet/

INTERGEN-ENKA LAYS FOUNDATION OF ADAPAZARI POWER-PLANT

Intergen-Enka partnership laid the foundation of Adapazari Natural Gas Conversion Power-Plant which will be the biggest private sector enterprise costing $2.2 billion . Two other power-plants will be built and these three plants will be providing 27 percent of total electrity production in Turkey. Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said at the foundation ceremony that especially the energy sector needs capital and dynamism of the private sector. Adding that Turkey's energy needs increase 10 percent every year, Yilmaz said, "In order to meet this demand, $3 billion worth investment is required annually. If the state invests this amount, carrying out its other duties would be difficult". /Sabah/

KOC AND TNT PARTNERSHIP

Koc Holding And TNT founded a partnership "TNT Turkey" to distribute all kinds of goods such as durable consumer products,automotive, electronic products throughout Turkey. Chief of the Foreign Trade Group Hasan Bengu on behalf of Koc Holding and Chief of the Logistics Group Roberto Rossi on behalf of TNT Post Group signed the partnership agreement yesterday in Koc Headquarters. TNT Turkey founded with $2 million capital aims to serve not only the companies under Koc Holding but all companies in Turkey and in neighbouring countries on issues of integral distribution and logistics. /Sabah/

YASEMIN DALKILIC'S NEW WORLD RECORD

Turkish national sportswoman Yasemin Dalkilic broke the women's world "free diving with limited changable weight" record with a 100-meter dive in Bodrum yesterday. Dalkilic improved the previous record of 96 meters which was also held by her. She will also try to reach to 120 meters in "No-Limit" category on Sunday. /Star/

KUCURADI RECEIVES FREEDOM OF PRESS AWARD

Turkish Press Society's freedom of press award was given to Hacettepe University's Head of Philosophy Department Prof. Dr. Ionna Kucuradi this year. The High Elective Council presented the award for the institutions category to all press institutions in the regions damaged by the earthquake. It is stated that Kucuradi contributed greatly to the improvement of human rights in Turkey. /Hurriyet/

ONE-DAY CRUISES TO KOS ISLAND

As a result of the recent rapproachement between Turkey and Greece,one day cruises to Kos Island will be held without visa. The first cruise was organized according to an agreement between Greek Stinpoli Shipping Tourism and Turkish Bodrum Ferry-boat Management. The district governor of Istankoy (Kos) Island Vasilis Ksipolitas welcomed the acting Mayor of Bodrum Municipality Nese Gokbel, Mayor of Bitez Remzi Gungor and a large number of Turks who lived in Istankoy in the past. Ksipolitas said, " We will find a way to organize meetings for longer periods between two nations." /Hurriyet/

3TH INTERNATIONAL SHOE FAIR IN ISTANBUL

The 3th International Shoe Fashion Fair will be opened at Beylikduzu Fair and Congress Centre in Istanbul. 206 companies both from Turkey and abroad will attend the fair, organized by RDF Fair Company. The Chairman of the Turkish Shoe Industrialists' Association, Mehmet Buyukeksi, said, "The fair will bring together the biggest representatives of the sector." /Aksam/

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

'PYRRHUS VICTORY' IN ESDI BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)

Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the recent developments at the European Security and Defence Identity. A summary of his column is as follows: "Yesterday, it was reported that the steps to be taken within the framework of ESDI would be subject to the approval the NATO member countries. Thus it was stated that Turkey's views concerning ESDI had been accepted. First let's separate apples and oranges. NATO and ESDI are two different organizations. However, they are supposed to work harmoniously as many members of ESDI are also members of NATO at the same time. However, at present ESDI does not have an infrastructure. Therefore, it is apparent that it will need the infrastructure of NATO for some time. However, there is nothing to stop the EU from giving ESDI an independent status with no attachments to NATO. That is to say, there is no agreement or document which in any way hampers ESDI's acting independently of NATO. In fact, according to countries like France this would be most preferable as some members of the EU believe that Europe should have its own NATO. However, this is the very point Turkish military officials are opposing. They are opposed to exclusion of Turkey from the decision-making mechanism Europe is trying to form, at least until Turkey becomes a member. In return, the EU is of the opinion that it may need Turkey's NATO facilities within the framework of ESDI. However, Turkey believes that if it is not included in the decision-making mechanism of ESDI, it will answer the request of aid in accordance with the conditions of the day. In other words, it is saying that it will not give automatic approval to requests. However, we have to know that there is no difference in our situtaion concerning ESDI. Turkey was neither included in ESDI, nor did it enter the decision-making mechanism of the organization. The recent developments had their roots in the 50th anniversary summit of NATO held in Washington last year. There ,it was stated that if NATO facilities were asked to be used within the framework of ESDI, the decision concerning the issue should be subject to the approval of North Atlantic Council, the decision-making mechanism of NATO. North Atlantic Alliance decides with unanimous approval. If Turkey does not accept the decision of the Council, it can obstruct the procedure. In that case ESDI cannot use NATO facilities. This is a fact which should not be underestimated but at the same time it does not solve the issue facing Turkey. It does not include us into the decision-making mechanism of ESDI but only makes us someone intervening from outside. However, Turkey's policy concerning the issue was not supported by the US and it expressed its opinions to the Turkish Government. That is why I believe that recent developments were described as a victory to bury the issue."

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