NIGERIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT SEZER

Nigerian President Olusegun Obosanjo and a crowded delegation accompanying him arrived in Ankara yesterday and visited the Embassy of Nigeria and Ataturk's Mausoleum. Obosanjo and the accompanying delegation will begin their official contacts today and visit President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at Cankaya Presidential Palace. /Star/

CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS TO BEGIN

The second stage of the third tour of Cyprus proximity talks will begin in Geneva, Switzerland today. The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, and the accompanying delegation arrived in Geneva yesterday to attend the proximity talks. It was stated that the Greek-Cypriot politicians, who decided not to go to Geneva, changed their minds after meeting the Greek-Cypriot leader Klerides. /Aksam/

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL

National Security Council (MGK) will convene in Istanbul next week and be chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. During the monthly ordinary meeting, the issues on the agenda will be discussed. /Aksam/

OZDEMIR RETURNS TO TURKEY

Istanbul's Director of Security, Hasan Ozdemir, who visited the US as the official guest of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), an organization concerned with the fight against narcotics, returned to Turkey. Ozdemir stated that they had exchanged information with the DEA officials during the three-day meetings. /Cumhuriyet/

LETTER FROM IRAQ TO AKBULUT

The speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Sadun Hammadi asserted that the extension of the Exploration Force's duty in the Northern Iraq would harm both to Turkey and Iraq. In his letter to the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Yildirim Akbulut, Hammadi asked Ankara to review its Iraqi policy. Emphasizing that Turkey and Iraq had had good neighbourly relations, friendship and common interests, Hammadi said that they were expecting Turkey to try to persuade the world to end the emborgo imposed on Iraq. /Turkiye/

GEN. CELASIN IN BRITAIN

The Commander of the Air Force Gen. Ergin Celasin went to Britain to attend the European Air Forces' Commanders Meeting. Gen. Celasin will return home tomorrow. /Turkiye/

BAHCELI: "ECONOMY IS DEVELOPING"

Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, Minister of State Ramazan Mirzaoglu, Minister of Industry and Trade Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu went to Bursa to attend 9th Keles Kocayayla Turkmen Family Feast. Addressing citizens, Bahceli said that the economy was on the right track and after inflation started to decrease and economic balances were settled, positive developments would be felt better. /Turkiye/

CHAIRMAN OF THE US RED CRESCENT IN TURKEY

Chairman of the US Red Crescent, Dr. Bernadine Healy, and the accompanying delegation arrived in Turkey as the official guest of the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay). During the meetings that will be held today in Ankara, the aid that was given by the US Red Crescent to the earthquake victims in Turkey will be evaluated. /Cumhuriyet/

77TH ANNIVERSARY OF LAUSANNE TREATY

77th anniversary of the Lausanne Treaty by which the world recognized Turkey's independence and presence is being celebrated today. The Lausanne Treaty was a major diplomatic achievement for Turkey to expel the Greek, British, French and Italian occupying powers at the end of the World War I. The Treaty was signed between Turkey and the Allied Powers in Switzerland on July 24, 1923. The Support for Contemporary Life Association and the Inonu Foundation will host an anniversary meeting at Inonu House in Heybeliada to mark the occasion. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that July 24 is also the anniversary of lifting the censorship in the press and acceptance of labour union rights. Ecevit stated that all these events should be commemorated all together on July 24 since they show that independence and social rights are indispensable for democracy ad freedom. /Cumhuriyet/

81ST ANNIVERSARY OF ERZURUM NATIONAL CONGRESS

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer issued a message on the 81st anniversary of Erzurum National Congress. President Sezer said that Turkish nation has always lived without giving any concession from its independence and beared every difficulty to protect it. Sezer added that Ataturk's words " Freedom and independence are my character" explains the characteristics of the Turkish nation very well. Sezer regarded the Turkish Independence War as a unique victory and a glorious legend. /Cumhuriyet/

61ST ANNIVERSARY OF HATAY'S INCLUSION INTO TURKEY

61st anniversary of Hatay's decision to join Turkey was celebrated with ceremonies. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Speaker of the TGNA Yildirim Akbulut, Premier Bulent Ecevit and the Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu sent congratulatory messages to the Governor of Hatay Yener Rakicioglu. In his message, President Sezer said that Hatay's joining Turkey was a great success of the young Turkish Republic in the international area after a long struggle with common sense. /Turkiye/

CELEBRATION OF JOURNALISTS' DAY

The 92nd anniversary of lifting the censorship and Journalists' Day is being celebrated today. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said," By abolishing the censorship, great steps were taken to reach individual freedoms and democracy". In his message, Ecevit said freedom, democracy and social rights were inseparable. Leader of Republican People's Party (CHP) Altan Oymen said in his message that press was the mirror of society and political regime. /Milliyet/

TRT BROADCASTS IN AMERICA

After broadcasting in Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, TRT-INT television has started to broadcast in Northern America and Canada. Beginning from Sep. 1st, TRT-INT will also be watched from Brasil and in addition, TRT FM and "Voice of Turkey" radios will be able to be listened to in the whole continent. /Turkiye/

THIRD ABANT CONVENTION ENDED

Third Abant convention, where the topic was "the democratic state within the framework of rule of law", ended with a declaration. The concluding remarks of the convention are as follows;" Democratic state enjoying the rule of law stands in equal distance from all non-violent systems of faith and ideology and ways of life based on these systems. The state should be based on a social understanding which ensures basic rights and freedoms of all diverse groups equally. No individual or group should be excluded from politics and public life. /Milliyet/

GAP TO BE COMPLETED

The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Administration has started a new work to complete the GAP project 10 years earlier than scheduled. Taking into account the decrease in terrorism in the region, Turkey's energy requirements and agricultural demands, GAP Administration is preparing a revised master plan this year to complete the project until 2010. It is stated that, until now, TL 7.5 quadrillion has been spent for GAP, Turkey's the biggest regional development project, if TL 8 quadrillion is provided, all the units of the project will able to be completed by 2010. /Turkiye/

ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO AVOID ENERGY CRISIS

Ministry of Energy and National Resources will take additional measures to avoid a possible energy crisis. Officials from the Energy Ministry said that low water levels in Keban, Karakaya and Ataturk Dams would affect Turkey's electricity production negatively, which could result in a serious energy shortage in winter. Ministry of Energy has started a wide-ranging work recently to avoid a possible energy crisis. Energy Ministry is looking on natural gas as an alternative source of energy. Turkey may have to increase its natural gas imports and liquid natural gas (LNG) by buying from Algeria. Officials stated that meetings with the Algerian officials are continuing. Energy Ministry also started to work on measures for running the thermic power plants with full capacity in winter. Floating power plants will also begin to operate by winter. /Cumhuriyet/

DECISION DAY FOR AKKUYU NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

The decision for the tender of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will be made today. Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant's proposal evaluation period has lasted for three years. Authorities from Westinghouse Consortium, which is a Japan and USA partnership, expressed that they were unhappy with the delay, and added that they will withdraw from the project if it is postponed one more time. If Westinghouse Consortium withdraws from the project, Council of Ministers will have to take another decision to continue the project. /Cumhuriyet/

IMF DELEGATION TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Responsible for Turkey, Carlo Cotarelli and his delegation will arrive in Ankara on 30 August to discuss the following issues: budget of the year 2000, balance of the State Economic Enterprises (SEE), performance of the Economic Programme, current deficit, suggestions to increase profit, privatization programme of the year 2001, borrowing programme of the year 2001, agriculture and social security, giving autonomy to the public banks and the decisions to decrease expenses. /Sabah/

SUTTER ON TURKEY'S CREDIT

The Director of BNP-Ak-Dresdner Bank Dr.Rolf Sutter said that in order to upgrade the credit Turkey real economic growth be achieved. Sutter said that the major problems of Turkish economy were budget deficit and high rate of inflation. There were positive developments in the economy, but these were not enough to change the credit grade. Answering a question about the new banking law, Sutter said that the new law will lead to improvements in the banking sector."Tax burden on banking transactions should be abolished. Financial leasing regulations should be changed in a way to permit international leasing and reverse leasing", he said. /Milliyet/

TURKEY'S EXPORTS TO EU COUNTRIES INCREASE

During the January-June period this year, exports to the European Union (EU) countries increased by 3.7%. According to the figures of the Exporters' Association, during the first half of this year the amount of exports to the EU countries was $ 7.1 billion. The figure was $ 6.9 billion during the same period of 1999. /Sabah/

BOND BIDDING BY THE TREASURY

Treasury will organize a three-month-term bond bidding on 25 July, which will be the third and the last bidding of July. The repayment of the bonds will be made on 25 October and the date of the export of these bonds was determined as 26 July. It was envisaged that a sale of TL 307 trillion will be made in the bond bidding. Meanwhile, the Treasury will repay an internal debt amounting to TL 429.8 trillion on 26 July. /Sabah/

LONG TERM STATE BONDS AND STOCKS INCREASE IN INVESTMENT FUNDS

A and B type investment funds decreased the amount of short term bonds and reverse repo and increased long term bonds and stocks in their portfolios in May compared to last year. Short term bonds decreased from 19 percent to 2.2 percent, reverse repo from 64.12 percent to 51.66 percent. On the other hand, out of 20 foreign investment funds offered to the public, only four funds provided yields to the investors, others made 4.7 percent loss. /Milliyet/

ERCEL REVIEWS STABILIZATION PROGRAM

Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel in Izmir over the weekend said that monetary and exchange rate policies are the two pillars of Turkey's disinflation program. At the meeting organized by the Association of Aegean Industrialists and Businessmen (ESIAD), Ercel assessed the results of the last six months and said that the current economic stabilization program's basic goal was to reduce the inflation. Ercel said, "Our ultimate goal is to reduce the consumer inflation rate to 25 percent in 2000, 12 percent in 2001 and 7 percent in 2002". /Turkish Daily News/

PROJECT OF TURKCELL AND ERICSSON

In the framework of the "Bodrum Antique Walls Restoration Project", which was organized and sponsored by Turkcell and Ericsson, Ottoman Dockyard and the Tower of Dockyard was restored and opened with a ceremony. This ceremony was followed by another ceremony, during which Turkcell's Power Plant with an additional capacity of 200,000 network was opened to service. These activities were attended by the Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay, Chairman of the Executive Board of Cukurova Holding Company Mehmet Emin Karamehmet, General Director of Turkcell Cuneyt Turktan, Ericsson's General Director to Turkey Ersin Pamuksuzer, Motherland Party (ANAP) Mugla deputy Tunay Dikmen, Governor of Mugla Lutfi Yigenoglu and many other guests. /Aksam/

CENK KORAY DIES

Famous TV host and journalist Cenk Koray died yesterday of a heart attack, at the age of 56. Koray will be buried in Karacabey Cemetery, Istanbul tomorrow. /All papers/

BELKIS EXCAVATIONS CONTINUE

Excavations to save the region of Belkis-Zeugma Ancient City that will be inundated by the water of Birecik Dam as from October, are continuing in six separate regions. The Coordinator of the excavations, Kemal Sertok, stated that the number of archeologists working in the Zeugma city had reached 65. Sertok added, "The places that were excavated give an idea about the region. The findings are being documented without ignoring any detail." /Aksam/

DALKILIC'S SECOND WORLD RECORD

National sportswoman Yasemin Dalkylyc broke a new world record in the limitless category on Sunday. Dalkylyc broke out the previous record of 115 meters held by Cuban sportswoman Deborah Anderra, with 120-meter dive in Bodrum. There were six cameras recording Dalkylyc's dive and a team of security divers followed her closely. It is debatable whether the Confederation of Marine Activities Societies will accept Dalkylyc's new record. /Hurriyet/

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

NATIONAL CAUSE BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)

Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag comments on the relations with the EU and how it is handled in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "The comprehensive reforms Turkey has to carry out to become a member of the EU requires a gigantic national transition process. In fact, this process which will radically change the political, social and administrative order and upset the balances is a revolution which can be compared to those of the Republican era. The basic condition for Turkey's historical mission which is to be a considerable regional power and to constitute a role model for the state administration in the Islamic and Turkish-speaking world depends upon Turkey's carrying out the EU membership reforms. Thus, with the respect and influence it will have, Turkey can play a political and cultural bridge role between the East and the West and can contribute to turning the inconfidence and suspicions into cooperation. This in turn, will lead to its undertaking a significant role in achieving peace and stability throughout the world. That is why Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's words, "Turkey's entrance to EU is a national cause, as the EU membership of Turkey is the only way out for the country" are true. This fact has been well understood by the people. A survey conducted by Piar-Gallup has shown that 67% of the Turks support the EU membership of the country. EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement, Gunther Verheguen's visit to Ankara for consultations regarding the preparation of the Participation Partnership Document has shown how fragile the structure of the 57th Government is and that there were wide differences of opinion between the Coalition partners in implementing the EU membership conditions. Another issue which has been recognized lately is that so long as a Government, with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as one of the partners is in power, it is very hard for Turkey to take the necessary steps to start the membership negotiations. However, the Coalition partners should be aware that both the stability of the Government, and Turkey's participation process to the EU should not be hampered for our national interests. The continuation of the 57th Government is vitally important to implement the economic stability programme without a hitch. The Government has asked great sacrifices from various sections of the society to implement this programme, and promised to decrease the rate of inflation to a single digit figure and to rise the standard of living. The praises of the IMF and World Bank should be considered as an encouragement to the implementation of the programme. The worst thing to do is to dissolve the Government and to hinder the stability programme. Those who attempt to do this should well know that they will not be forgiven by the people as all the sacrifices made until now would have been made in vain, economy will be in a worse situation than the time the programme has been started. The Government has not painted a successful picture in the consultations with Verheugen. The Coalition partners should have determined a common stand before the consultations and avoid bickering among themselves. Although MHP may see some of the Copenhagen criteria as political suicide, it has no intention to obstruct the path of the harmonization studies implemented by the Government in spite of the fact that it will not participate in them. Therefore, the leaders can agree on solutions which will not result in any loss of time or ground for the country if they can pursue honest and sincere dialogues with regular meetings held frequently."

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