SEZER'S LETTER TO CHIRAC

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a letter concerning the so-called Armenian genocide resolution, up for a vote on November 7, to French President Jacques Chirac. In his letter, Mr. Sezer stated that if the resolution was approved in the French Senate, bilateral relations between Turkey and France would be seriously damaged. Concerned about the possibility of allegations of the Armenian genocide being put on the agenda of the French Senate and Italian Parliament, Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker, Omer Izgi sent letters to the President of the French Senate and the Speaker of the Italian Parliament. Mr. Izgi said that no parliamentary speaker in the world has the right to judge another country's past. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that Armenia would be the party most damaged by such attempts . Mr. Yilmaz said a nation's loyalty to its past was beneficial for as long as it is able to learn lessons for a better future. In addition, Chairman of the Republican Peoples Party, Deniz Baykal sent letters to the French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and the representatives of the Socialist Party in the French Senate. If the resolution is approved in the French Senate's urgent issues session November 7, it will go back to the French Parliament. /Cumhuriyet/

SEZER PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR THE ECO

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said yesterday that Turkey, which actively contributes to the efforts of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), will maintain its support. Mr. Sezer hosted newly-elected ECO Secretary General Abdulrahim Gavahi at the Presidential Palace in Ankara and congratulated him on his new post. If all ECO member countries internalize the principles and rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Mr. Sezer said, commercial relations between these countries will improve. He also invited non-member countries to join the ECO. Regarding the ECO's points of emphasis, Mr. Sezer said Turkey was focusing especially on transport, energy and trade issues. Gavahi said he expected Turkey, one of the three founding members of the ECO, would continue to work together with the organization. /Turkish Daily News/

ATLANTIC AGREEMENT ASSOCIATION'S MEETING

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said it was important for an immediate solution to be found for the problems between Turkey and Greece and for political support to be given to the civil rapprochment. During his speech at the meeting organized by the Atlantic Agreement Association in Budapest, Mr. Cem pointed out the dimensions of the Mideast issue and said the increasing violance in the region threatens world peace. Emphasizing the importance of the stability in the Balkans, Mr. Cem said the Yugoslavia issue should be overcome. Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou also addressed the meeting. Talking about the issues in the Balkans, Southeastern Europe and Mideast, Mr. Papandreu said his government gives priority to human and minority rights and they struggle against ultra-nationalism. On relations with Turkey, the Greek Foreign Minister said the public is pressuring the government for a solution to the problems between the two countries. Stressing peoples desire for peace and friendship, he said political interests should be left in the background. Additionally, it was stated that the meeting of the Atlantic Agreement Association will be held in Turkey and Greece in 2002. /Turkiye/

DUTCH PRIME MINISTER IN TURKEY

Dutch Foreign Minister Wim Kok, on an official visit in Turkey, proceeded to Istanbul and the earthquake region yesterday after completing his political and diplomatic meetings in Ankara. Mr. Kok addressed a conference held in Bogazici University on "Turkey's Future in the Stable Europe". Stressing that Turkey has a unique and unusual strategic situation, Kok said Turkey faces many geopolitical problems. Later, Mr. Kok made observations in Golcuk, one of the hardest hit cities in last year's quake. The Dutch Minister said Holland will continue sending aid to the region. /Turkiye/

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CANCELS 11 MORE GOVERNMENT DECREES

The Constitutional Court canceled 11 more decrees with the power of law (KHK). Acting President of the Constitutional Court, Hasim Kilic, said the Court canceled decrees concerning the establishment of the Social Security Institution and a decision was made to put the cancellation of the decrees into effect six months from the published date in the Official Gazette. /Cumhuriyet/

SYRIA SEEKS FOR COOPERATION

The first assistant of the Syrian President Besir Esad, Abdulhalim Haddam will arrive in Turkey tomorrow to hold meetings. He will convey Mr. Esad's special message to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Mr. Haddam will be received by the Speaker of TGNA, Omer Izgi, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Mr. Haddam is expected to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, Syria's concern over the water issue, issues concerning cooperation on security and the common principles declaration being prepared between Syria and Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

MINUTES OF ACCORD SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND BULGARIA

According to a statement made by Ministry of Energy yesterday, the meeting of the Turkey-Bulgaria Common Working Group, co-chaired by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Cumhur Ersumer, and Bulgarian Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Evgeni Chachev, was held yesterday within the framework of the protocol of the Energy and Infrastructure Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and Bulgaria. A minutes of accord was signed by Mr. Ersumer and Mr. Chachev at the meeting. According to this minutes, Bulgaria will increase its electricity transfers to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY TO RECEIVE WORLD BANK ADJUSTMENT CREDIT OF $760 MILLION

The World Bank Director in Turkey, Ajay Chhibber said the privatization program in Turkey was successful this year. Answering questions from the press before attending a meeting with State Minister Yuksel Yalova, Mr. Chhibber said, "Although all of the targets were not reached in the privatization program, it is still a reliable program by the international standards. I belive the privatization program will continue to be implemented successfully under the leadership of State Minister Yalova in 2001 as well." Responding a question, Mr. Chhibber said the financial structural adjustment credit (FSAT) of $780 million to be given to Turkey, will be approved by the Executive Board of the World Bank at the end of this year. /Milliyet/

CLINTON PROPOSES DEMIREL TAKE PART IN THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE COMMISSION

The Clinton Administration suggested the ninth Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, take part in the international fact finding commission to be established in response to the month long violence continuing in the region. The commission will try to prevent the escalation of tension between Israel and Palestine. This suggestion was put forward after US President Bill Clinton received approval from Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinean leaders. US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, called Mr. Demirel yesterday evening to suggest the position. /Milliyet/

TOSKAY: " EVERY COUNTRY SHOULD DEAL WITH ITS OWN AFFAIRS"

State Minister Tunca Toskay in Iraq to attend the Bagdad Fair met with Deputy President Taha Yasin Ramazan. Responding to Ramazan's demand that Incirlik Airbase be closed, Mr. Toskay said, "We cannot discuss the internal affairs of Turkey with the officials of another country in Bagdad. Every country should deal with its own internal matters. We are here to discuss commercial relations." /Aksam/

TURKEY'S APPLICATION TO WORLD BANK

Turkey has applied to the World Bank to fight against corruption. The Ministry of Treasury stated after the World Bank evaluated the issue, the Ministry planned to begin working against corruption and would ensure the participation of the non-governmental organizations in this fight. /Cumhuriyet/

THE TREASURY WILL ORGANIZE THREE TENDERS

The treasury, with a 1.6 quadrillion TL payment for November, is expecting to be 1-1.3 quadrillion TL in debt. Interest, to be raised by the sale of a three-months fixed term bond, will be a base for the payment of the other two transfer tenders. The treasury will pay $643.7 million in foreign debt in November. The payments of domestic borrowings by the treasury for this month will be 1 quadrillion 585 trillion TL. /Sabah/

SPECIAL STATE BONDS TO BE ISSUED FOR FINANCING 10 BANKS IN THE FUND

At the summit presided over by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the decision was made that the treasury will give special state bonds totaling $6.1 billion to the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board(BDDK) for the rehabilitation of 10 banks currently under the aegis of the Deposit Account Insurance Fund(MSF). /Hurriyet/

A REPRESENTATIVE TO SHANGHAI BY SISECAM

Sisecam Chemicals Group send a representative to Shanghai. Sisecam announced it aimed to increase its share of the Chinese market. The representative will study possible investments in Shanghai. /Aksam/

EXPO IMPRESSED BY TURKEY

The EXPO 2000 World Fair, opened June 1 in Hannover Germany, has ended. The Turkish stand attracted great interest in the fair, which attracted 18 million visitors. This year the theme for the Turkish stand was "The Bridge between East and West, the Past and the Future". In the closing ceremony Wolfgang Thierse, the president of the Federal Assembly, said the fair acted as a cultural ambassador, particularly with the increase of antagonism against foreigners in Germany. The President of the Republic of Germany Johannes Rau announced in a letter that the fair was a great success for international rapprochement. /Aksam/

GERMAN BUSINESSMEN ORGANIZION TO COOPERATE WITH TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

The Businessmen Organization Association of Middle Scale Enterprises(MIT) attached to the German Christian Democratic Unity(CDU) and Christian Social Unity Parties (CSU) decided to consolidate their cooperation with Turkish businessmen in Germany. Celil Senman, of Turkish origin and a member of the Association, presented the draft he prepared to this end at the Berlin meeting. Mr. Senman said, " There are more than 55,000 Turkish businessmen in Germany. Their annual total income reaches DM 50 billion. There is both a great potential and opportunity for cooperation with Turkish firms." /Aksam/

POLLUTION DANGER IN BLACK SEA

The second "Pollution of the Black Sea and Mediterranean" conference organized by Bogazici University and Manchester University, began in Istanbul. Delivering a speech at the opening of the conference State Minister Responsible for Maritime, Ramazan Mirzaoglu said, "In addition to the state, non-governmental organizations should struggle against the pollution of our seas. Stressing the rivers flowing to the Black Sea, (the Danube, Don and Dnieper) are carring poisonous waste, Mr. Ramazanoglu said large countries are responsible for the pollution. The conference, with scientists participating from ten different countries, will last four days. Topics such as the intense petrol-tanker traffic in the straits, sea accidents and precautions for sea pollution will also be taken up during the conference. /Turkiye/

TWO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE NOBEL SCIENCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Sanliurfa Anatolian High School students, Mesut Sekeroglu and Banu Birlik received acknowledgement awards for their projects presented to the Polish Physics Science Academy. /Hurriyet/

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

CRITICAL NOVEMBER BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the importance of November for Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "November will be an important month for Turkish foreign policy. Two of the events taking place this month are of great significance. The first concerns Turkey's relations with the European Union and the second, the future of the Cyprus problem. Both issues will play a determining role in Ankara's foreign relations. The Accession Partnership Document (KOB) to be disclosed by the EU Commission on November 8, will reveal the position of the EU and its expectations on Turkey's membership. It is understood that the document, discussed for weeks is taking on final shape and will not ruffle any feathers in Turkey. However, it is also certain that the KOB will deal with various issues ranging from human rights and the Cyprus problem which at first would not seem to be to the liking of the Turkish Government. We have to be prepared for this and control our reactions accordingly. The KOB will openly display fundamental differences of opinion on the criteria for membership between the EU and Turkey. However, this should not erase the importance of goals Turkey has adopted, not only for relations with the EU, but also for its own policies.In other words, Ankara should prepare its National Program as soon as possible and begin carrying it out without opposing the KOB. This National Program will be the main 'road map' and will determine the beginning of the negotiation process for full EU membership. Government officials, including Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, are saying Turkey will complete its preparations and the necessary legal changes by the end of 2001. If these are not completed by then, the membership negotiations will be delayed which in turn brings the danger of its non compliance for various reasons. The government is now expected to expedite the preparations for full membership negotiations so the process can be completed within year. The fourth round of the Cyprus proximity talks, November's other important event, begins today. Nothing new can be said at the beginning of these talks that has not been already said. The parties are coming together reluctantly with no expectations in Geneva. If it had not been for the efforts of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the pressure of the US, this process would have been over. However, none of the parties wants to be seen as intransigent escaping from the meetings. For a compromise requiring important concessions there has to be encouraging motivation. In other words, the parties have to believe that a solution would be more to their benefit than the status quo. Neither side has reached that point. Negotiations are continuing over the basic disputed issues as equality and sovereignty and are not even conducted face-to-face. Although the UN Secretary General has taken a position adopting the equality principle in the New York round, the possibility of its acceptance by the Greek-Cypriot side is weak. Can this deadlock be solved in Geneva and a new way leading to a solution be found in the negotiations? It is not probable, but hope in diplomacy should not be lost.

OLD ISSUES