77TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

The 77th foundation anniversary of the Republic of Turkey was celebrated yesterday in various ceremonies throughout the country, in Turkish foreign missions and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The first ceremony was held in Ankara at Anitkabir, Ataturk's Mausoleum. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer headed a delegation of civilian and military leaders and bureaucrats. The President laid a wreath at Ataturk's resting place and signed Anitkabir's Rememberance Book. Then, Mr. President accepted the congratulations of state officials, diplomats and other prominent figures at Parliament's Guest Hall. The celebrations continued with an air show by the Turkish Aviation Institute's acrobatic team of skydrivers, helicopters and airplanes. The air show was followed by a parade. A number of exhibitions, concerts and various other activities were also held throughout the country. Meanwhile, politicians and local administrators issued messages to mark the anniversary. The President of the TRNC Rauf Denktas and US President Bill Clinton sent messages of congratulations on the occasion to Mr. Sezer. /All Papers/

SEZER: "DEMOCRATIZATION SHOULD START FROM THE TOP"

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said if the Turkish Grand National Assembly wants democratization, it should begin with by reforming the Law of Political Parties. President Sezer, at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the Republic, told the press that the primary handicap to democratization in Turkey is the current form of the Law of Political Parties. He said it should be amended as soon as possible. Responding to the question: "Which articles of the Law should be amended?", President Sezer said, "Who elects the deputies, the politicians or the people? Of course, the head of the parties. For example, this is an article which should be amended." Regarding the decrees with the power of law, President Sezer said, " The government claimed these decrees were urgent and now the Assembly is open. The government should bring the draft legislation into TGNA and have it enacted as a law." /Hurriyet/

DUTCH PRIME MINISTER KOK IN ANKARA

Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok, who came to Turkey at the invitation of the Turkish government, will begin his meetings today in Ankara. Mr. Kok is expected to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit today. After the Kok-Ecevit meeting, the Turkish and Dutch delegations will begin their meetings. Mr. Kok will be received by the Turkish Parliamentary Speaker Omer Izgi and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. After visiting the earthquake-hit region, he will hold a conference in Bogazici University. /Cumhuriyet/

CEM AND PAPANDREU TO MEET IN BUDAPEST

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem travel to Hungaria to attend the annual meeting of the Union of the North Atlantic Agreement. Mr. Cem will meet with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yorgo Papandreu in Budapest. However, it was reported that Mr. Papandreu under pressure from public opinion in Greece might cancel the meeting. That Mr. Papandreu wanted to delay the Union`s presentation of Mr. Cem's award was interpreted as a sign indicating the difficulty of his situation in Greece. According to Ankara's views, the difficulty of his situation stems from intense public pressure to include the Aegean and Cyprus issues into Turkey's accession partnership document. Therefore, it was reported that Mr. Papandreu may hesitate to meet with Mr. Cem under such difficult conditions. /Milliyet/

TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS' STATEMENT TO THE PRESS

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus(TRNC), Rauf Denktash, warned the European Union not to admit the Greek-Cypriots as a full member before the Cyprus problem is solved. In a statement given to the press, Mr. Denktash said, "As long as the Greek-Cypriots continue to pursue the policy of claiming sovereignty on the entire island, there would not be a sound solution for the island." Mr. Denktash said, "We achieved progress in the negotiations. The opening speech UN Secretary Generale Kofi Annan delivered at the fourth round of the talks, is progress. He said TRNC is equal. A new partnership will be established and there will be two separate and equal entities. Neither entity will represent or dominate the other. Mr. Clerides would not reject this condition if he was sincere about a federation. This plan can be adjusted both to federation and confederation. If we improved the economy, there would be no problem of our people. In that case, it will be easier to reconciliate with the Greek-Cypriots. /Hurriyet/

STATE MINISTER TOSKAY TO VISIT BAGHDAD

State Minister Tunca Toscay and Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen will travel to Baghdad today to participate in the 33rd Bagdad Fair and to held some official meetings. In addition to Deputy State Minister Taha Yasin Ramazan, Mr. Toscay will meet with Iraqian Ministers of Finance, Trade, Health, Agriculture, Petroleum, Transport and Telecommunications. The opening of the Turkish stand in the fair will be made by Minister Toscay. The fair will be held between Nov. 1 and 10. /Turkiye/

STATE MINISTER USENMEZ IN CHINA

State Minister Suayip Usenmez, on an official visit to China, said China should not be ignored as a major power in world politics. Mr. Usenmez joined the reception to mark Republic Day at the Embassy in Beijing yesterday and told reporters that China had developed rapidly under the free market economy. He said Turkey was keen on further improving relations with China in all areas and called on the Turkish private sector to invest in China. /Turkish Daily News/

TURKEY HOPES FOR GREATER EARNINGS FROM TOURISM

The Turkish tourism sector expects a larger slice of the European tourism cake next season due to higher oil prices. The Turkish Association of Travel Agents (TURSAB) reported that tour operators in Germany and Britain have decreased their capacity for longhaul destinations and have moved to closer Mediterranean countries, a traditional holiday resort for European tourists. Two big operators in Germany , FTI and LTU, dropped their scheduled destinations for 2000's winter and 2001's summer seasons by 25 percent. British tour operators offered sales on early reservations for 2001's summer season by as much as 40 percent, TURSAB reported. Turkey is a good candidate for attracting tourists next season due to its proximity to Europe and the ability of people to pay with DM. TURSAB said, "Turkey has been shown as a good performer in Europe's biggest markets, Germany and Britain, for 2001's winter and summer seasons. The general state of the world economy also favors Turkey." /Turkish Daily News/

EURASIA SUMMIT

The Marmara Group Foundation will organize the Third Eurasia Economy Summit in Istanbul on Nov. 1-3. Many Turkish and foreign ministers are expected to attend the meeting. /Turkiye/

SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR ARCHIVES

A two-day round table meeting hosted by Turkish Prime Ministry on the topic "The Condition and Protection of Pre and Post-War Archives, their Restoration and Documentation" is over. The participants, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Greece, Slovenia and UNESCO have issued an 11-article statement as a recommendation to governments. The meeting also recommended that any country holding Ottoman archives and records take steps to exchange copies of archive documents and means of reserch. /Turkiye/

BRIDGE TO KAZAKHSTAN

The Semipalatinsk Irtish Suspension Bridge constructed by Alarko and Japan IHI, in Kazakhstan similar to the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, was put into service after a ceremony. The official opening of the bridge was made by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The Bridge constructed over the Irtish River which divides Semipalatinks city in two. It has a lenght of 14 km and 6 lines. The construction was completed in two years and cost $200 million. /Turkiye/

TANTAN GIVEN `FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AWARD'

The Association of Avrasia Businessmen Cooperation and Business Lobby presented an award to Minister of Interior Affairs Sadettin Tantan for his works in fighting reactionary, separatist actions and corruption. Certain other figures receiving awards were the Attorney-General functioning in the Court of Cassation Vural Savas, Ankara State Security Courts prosecutor Mete Yuksel and Chairman of Republican Peoples Party (CHP). /Milliyet/

RUSSIA DECREASES PRISES IN HELICOPTER BIDDING

Russia is competing fiercely with the US in the military bidding through which Turkey will buy 145 assault helicopters. Russian Prime Minister Mihail Kasiyanov stated during his Ankara visit last week that Russia might decrease the prise from 4 billion dollars to 2 billion for the "Erdogan" helicopter. Mr. Kasiyanov also said Russia could give the production and export rights of the "Erdogan" helicopter to Turkey. /Aksam/

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2000 MEETING

The meeting named "Sustainable Development in the Accession Period to EU" will be held in Ankara November 24. GAP Chairmanship of Regional Development Administration, the Office of the Turkish Representative to the UN, and authorities from the Procter and Gamble will attend the meeting. Procter and Gamble will present the "Sustainable Development 2000 Report" during the meeting. /Aksam/

45TH EUROPEAN QUALITY CONGRESS IN TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

Istanbul is preparing to host the 45th European Quality Congress. 2000 participants from all around the world will be hosted during 18-21 September, 2001 Congress. Head of Turkish Standarts Institute, Ahmet Cafoglu said this would be the first time Turkey would host such a large organization on quality, adding that the Congress will be the biggest quality platform of the world. /Sabah/

RESEARCH BY PROF. SEVIN TO BE PUBLISHED IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

The excavation activities carried out by a team headed by the Deputy Rector of Canakkale 18 Mart University, Prof.Veli Sevin and his wife Associate Prof. Necla Sevin in Hakkari, was published in the current issue of the Journal of National Geographic. The Journal of Archeology of the Institute of American Archeology, published the same works in its August edition. The team began excavations in the region three years ago and has salvaged 13 erected stones of an unknown civilization, 1-3 meters in lenght dating back to 1200 B.C.. /Hurriyet/

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

THE IMPORTANCE OF 2001 BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)

Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag comments on Turkey's relations with the EU. A summary of his column is as follows: A chain of events has led Turkey to a crossroads with the EU. Ankara has to decide which road to follow taking into consideration the fact that if it cannot begin membership negotiations with the EU in 2001, the aim of full-membership may remain only a dream. One of the reasons for this situation is the tendency against Turkey's membership in the EU community may be strengthened following the elections in Europe. If the Christian Democrat Party, which believes that the EU is a 'European civilization project' and the 'European culture stems from Christianity', comes to power in Germany in 2002 then Turkey's membership may only be a dream. Another reason for the difficulty is the Greek-Cypriot Administration. When it becomes a member of the EU in 2002, the Greek Cypriots will resort to any means including a veto, to hamper Turkey's integration with the EU. Furthermore, if a majority of the memberships of the 11 candidate countries are scheduled and negotiations begin even with Bulgaria and Romania being far behind Turkey in economic and political areas, and negotiations don`t begin with Turkey until 2005, it will be highly unfair and a blow to our self-respect. In addition to creating concern, there is no guarantee the EU won't stop the enlargement process. In light of these possibilities, Ankara must insist on beginning negotiations with the EU in 2001 and must do its homework regarding the Copenhagen criteria. Ankara has to take the first step in the freedom of expression area. The universal belief is that ideas which do not promote or defend the use of violence,or attack individual rights, should be freely expressed. Turkey can rearrange Article 312 by defining ethnic division and reactionarism according to a given criteria without restricting the rights to protect secularism the territorial integrity of the country. It is out of the question for Turkey to be pressured on the issue of minorities. Most of the EU countries have similar problems but differing policies. However, on the issue of the mother tongue, the establishment of TV stations and radio transmissions will have to be granted within the framework of individual rights. On abolishing the death penalty, at the moment Turkey is expected to continue the moratorium. On the other hand, it is both unfair and groundless for the EU to put forth the solution of the Cyprus and Aegean problems as a pre-condition for negotiations. The EU not only never has set such a condition for other candidates, but the membership negotiations of Spain were not obstructed in any way even though they were at odds with Britain over Gibraltar. Ankara has to strengthen its hand by taking the steps mentioned above in line with the Copenhagen criteria and dismiss the imposition of political problems as a pre-condition. If Ankara acts with courage and foresight bearing these in mind, it is highly probable that the road to membership negotiations with Turkey can be opened. The EU members must also see its present stance blocks the road to solving the political problems. The question is whether or not the Government will be able to show the necessary foresight and courage."

GREECE: YESTERDAY AND TODAY BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Mustafa Balbay comments on Turkey's relations with Greece. A summary of his column is as follows: "This week, among issues topping the agenda will be the Greek stance concerning the subjects to be mentioned in the Partnership Accession Document (KOB) to be announced for Turkey at the EU Summit on November 8. The crisis, set off deliberately by Greece, during the NATO manoeuvres at the end of last week, is escalating. Although Greece was warned for its noncompliance to NATO's rules, Turkey had to pay the bill. Greece gave this message to the EU: 'You can see that security problems with Turkey are ongoing. These are also problems between the EU and Turkey. It is not proper to sit at the table with this country without solving these problems.' Following the manoeuvre crisis, Greece continued to harp on the crisis. It froze the tourism agreement waiting to be ratified in the parliament and the Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou postponed the acceptance of a friendship award scheduled before the crisis. If the two coasts of the Aegean do not come together, there can be no peace between Turkey and Greece. The recent stance of Greece has made me look back into history. With the support of Europe, Greece has enlargened 2.7 fold since its establishment. The agreements for its enlargement were signed mostly in European cities. Let's take a look at this enlargement process: On 24 April 1830, the London Protocol declared that independent Greek states were established in the Cyclades Islands and the Peleponnisos peninsula. The total area is 47,516 square kilometres. On 8 April 1865, following the Istanbul Agreement between Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire, the seven islands in the Aegean were left to Greece. Thus its area increased by 5.6% and reached 50,211 square kilometres. When the Ottoman Armies were defeated in the Balkans and the Caucasus in 1877-1878, the Berlin Agreement was made. The negotiations were completed July 1881 in Istanbul after three years. The regions of Thessaly and a part of Epirus were given to Greece which did not take part in the war. The country's area increased by another 33.9% and reached a total of 67,270 square kilometres. During the First Balkan War in 1913, the Ottoman armies which fought against Serbian, Bulgarian, Greek and Montenegran armies withdrew to to Midye-Enez line. With the London Agreement signed on 30 May 1913, Thessaloniki, Southern Macedonia and the island of Crete were left to Greece. The area of the country increased by 44.6% and became 97,223 square kilometres. When the armies which defeated the Ottoman armies in the First Balkan War could not divide the territory among themselves, the Second Balkan War began among them. With the Bucharest Agreement signed on 10 August 1913 the whole of Epirus, Kavala and Drama were given to Greece. The area of the country increased by 5.6% and reached 102,703 square kilometres. Greece launched a move to add Thasos, Samothraki, Khios, Ipsala,Ilimli Mytilini and Ahikerdi to its territory. At the Conference of Ambassadors meeting on 13 February 1914 in London, these islands were left to Greece. Thus its territory reached 108,311 square kilometres. With the Neuilly Agreement signed after the First World War, Western Thrace was taken from Bulgaria and given to Greece. The area of the country increased by 19.9%. Following the Second World War, Greece which occupied the Aegean Islands under the Italian rule, began a diplomatic offensive to add these islands to its mlterritory. With the Paris Agreement signed on 10 February Rhodes, Meis and Mentese Islands were left to Greece. The area of the country doubled and became 132,562 square kilometres. In short, Greece has enlarged its territroy seven times since its establishment as an independent state. Accomplishing most of the enlargement process without entering any battles Greece received the support of Europe in all of them. It is very important and beneficial to establish good relations with Greece which supported terrorism to a degree that it hosted Abdullah Ocalan in its Embassy in Kenya. This should not be forgotten while establishing these relations. We shall see what will happen in the coming days concerning Turkey's Partnership Accession Document."

OLD ISSUES