NEW LEGISLATIVE YEAR BEGINS

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) began its new legislative year yesterday. Addressing the Parliament, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer delivered a speech concerning certain internal and international issues in the TGNA. Among the issues which the President mentioned in his speech, were the decrees with the power of law, the duties and authority of the President, the amendments in the Constitution,secularism and the rule of law, capital punishment, reactionary actions, Turkey's accession process to the EU, the consequences of the terrorist activities and the gangs. Stating that the Constitution provided a clear framework for the issues that could not be regulated by the decrees with power of law, President Sezer asked the deputies to act as the protector of the legislative power. Mr. Sezer said that he desired the improvement of the constitutional guarantee for flourishing non-governmental movements in Turkey. In addition, the President emphasized the role of certain basic issues such as the democracy, superiority of law and human rights for the development of Turkey and stated that Turkey was determined on its path towards the EU. /Cumhuriyet/

THE TGNA CONDEMNS THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

The Turkish Parliament started its first day back in work after its three-month summer recess by issuing a communique condemning a resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide which is currently making its way through the US House of Representatives, with a push from the Armenian lobby. The communique, which was signed by all the political parties in Parliament, could serve as a warning to both the US House and Armenia. The communique comments that the course of the resolution being heard at the House has aroused the indignation of the Turkish people and has been followed with both sadness and close attention. The communique further states that the acts of distorting historical facts for cheap political gain and acting on one-sided and false claims, dragging history into the political arena rather than letting historians decide on the facts of the matter have greatly offended the Turkish people. "The Turkish Parliament strongly condemns initiatives by those who attempt to use a legislative body in order to jeopardize the good Turkish-American relations that have lasted for many years", the communique read./Turkish Daily News, All papers/

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS THE US

A delegation consisting of five parliamentarians left for New York yesterday to hold meetings regarding the so-called Armenian genocide bill. Before their departure, Ayfer Yilmaz, a deputy from the True Path Party (DYP), gave information about the five-day visit of the delegation. She said that they would hold a series of meetings with the US parliamentarians and express Turkey's concern over the bill. /Turkiye/

GARCIA'S STATEMENT ON THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL

Speaking on the so-called Armenian genocide bill,which will be discussed at the House Committee of the International Relations tomorrow, EU Term President France's Ambassador to Turkey Bernard Garcia said, "Developed countries should look at their own pasts before they accuse Turkey." Mentioning the French government's attitude towards the bill, which will be taken up on October 17 in the French Senate, Mr. Garcia said, "The attitude of the French government on this issue is clear. Judging the past is not the duty of the parliamentarians but the historians. Any decision that the French government will take on this issue would not affect France's foreign policy towards Turkey. /Sabah/

FM CEM IN UZBEKISTAN

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem traveled to Uzbekistan yesterday. Officials stated that Ismail Cem's visit was a preparation for President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's visit to Uzbekistan after two weeks. /Cumhuriyet/

DENIZ BAYKAL: NEW LEADER OF THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY

Deniz Baykal was elected the new leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) yesterday at the extraordinary congress of the party. Out of the votes of 1,000 representatives, Mr. Baykal got 543 votes at the third round of the election. Ater the voting Mr. Baykal said, "I believe that this congress is very important in the political life of Turkey. CHP is entering a new period. All the members of the party should come together to fulfill the requirements of our responsibilities. In order to unite the party we will do our best." /Milliyet/

BARZANI TO VISIT TURKEY

After the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani's visit to Turkey last month, it has been reported that Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Mesoud Barzani will also pay an official visit to Turkey within the next few weeks. According to the diplomatic sources, Mr. Barzani will also be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Some important topics such as security issues in northern Iraq, the problems between Turkmens and the KDP, difficulties in border trade between Turkey and northern Iraq, sharing customs revenues with the PUK are expected to be discussed during the visit. Turkey places great importance on its relations with the KDP and the PUK for regional stability. Turkey also provides economic and military assistance for KDP forces in their fight against PKK terrorists in northern Iraq. /Turkish Daily News/

KLERIDES INSISTS ON FEDERAL CYPRUS

Greek-Cypriot leader Glafkos Klerides stressed that they would never accept the consequence of the Cyprus Peace Operation and the establishment of a confederation. Issuing a mesagge to mark the so-called Oct. 1, Independence Day, which is the celebration of the foundation of the Cyprus Republic with the Turco-Greek partnership on Aug. 16, 1960, Klerides claimed that a federal Cyprus, which is united, cleared away army and a member of the EU, would comply with the interests of both Turkey and Greece. He also called on the international community to put pressure on Turkey. /Turkiye/

TAM AND KAS MEETINGS TO DISCUSS TURKEY-EU RELATIONS

Center for Turkish Studies (TAM) and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) organized two meetings between September 21-23 to discuss Turkey-EU relations. During the meeetings Turkey's preparations for the full EU membership were taken up. European Union Commission responsible for Enlargement, deputy chairman of Turkey Desk Adrian vab der Meer stated that Turkey took significant steps on its path towards the full EU membership during the last months. /Cumhuriyet/

OGER IN GERMAN MIGRATION COMMISSION

Chairman of Turkish-German Foundation Vural Oger is the only non-German member of the Zuwanderungs (Migration) Commission, which was established by the German Interior Ministry and will be influential in the future regulations in Germany. Mr. Oger will represent the foreigners who work in Germany. Stating that 45,000 of the total 60,000 immigrants who came to Germany were Turks, Mr. Oger said, "Turks living in Germany should launch lobbying activities in favour of Turkey's full EU membership." /Star/

NEWS IN TURKISH ON THE BULGARIAN TV

Bulgaria starts broadcasting news in Turkish beginning from today at the state-owned television, within the framework of the requirements of the European Minorities Convention that Bulgaria signed last year. News Director of the State Television said that news will be broadcast after the news in Bulgarian at 18.00. Three months later, news and entertainment programs in Turkish will be broadcast on the same television channel. /Hurriyet/

GASTAUT'S STATEMENT FOR NEW FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

Renault International Strategy and Improvement Director Gerard Gastaut stated that European investors knows well the opportunities that Turkey would provide themselves and said, "There will be many new investments in Turkey. Many firms and companies with which Renault worked want to invest in Turkey. Turkey has to promote itself and inform the European investors about its prevalent conditions." /Sabah/

AWARD TO THE CALL CENTER OF YAPI KREDI BANK

The Call Center of Yapi Kredi Bank received the silver award in the Education and Coaching Category of the European Call Center Awards organized by the Call Center Focus Journal. Out of 202 candidates, Yapi Kredi was elected because of the perfect customer services, motivation of the customer representatives and career development. /Aksam/

27TH SUMMER OLYMPICS ENDS

The 27th Summer Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia ended yesterday. During the 17-day competition, Turkey earned three gold and one bronze medals. /All papers/

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