GREECE CEASES FREEZING BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH TURKEY

The Greek government decided not to freeze the nine bilateral agreements signed by Foreign Ministers Ismail Cem and George Papandreou at the beginning of this year. Last week the agreements to be submitted to the Parliament were shelved by the Greek government, as the relations became tense after the arising disagreement during the Destiny Glory 2000 Military Exercises. The agreements are focused on cooperation against terrorism and organized crime, cooperation in tourism, encouragement of mutual investments, cooperation in environmental protection, copperation in science and technology, assistance between the Customs Administrations, cooperation in maritime trade, economic and cultural cooperation. Mr. Cem met with Mr. Papandreou the previous day in Budapest and they decided to continue with the "dialogue". The two ministers agreed to bring the confidence building measures into their agenda. /Milliyet/

FIFTH ROUND OF PROXIMITY TALKS

The fifth round of the proximity talks aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus issue has begun in Ceneva. Alvaro De Soto, the Special Envoy for Cyprus of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, yesterday met with Greek-Cypriot leader Glafkos Klerides and President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas. Before the meeting, President Denktas reacted to Soto's previous statements that the EU perspective will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus issue. Mr. Denktas emphasized that the EU perspective was not a positive but a negative factor in the solution of the issue. He said the Greek-Cypriot Administration aims to abolish Turkey's guarantorship by applying for EU membership. Diplomatic circles said expectations over the fifth round of the talks to constitut a basis for direct talks in the sixth round of talks, are quite far a way after these declarations. /Turkiye/

EURASIAN SUMMIT BEGINS IN ISTANBUL

Eurasian Summit, the third of which was organized in Istanbul earlier this year by the Foundation of Marmara Group Strategic Research, started. The meeting held on the first day of the Summit was attended by the 9th Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, Representative of the United Nations (UN) Maharaj Muthoo, Deputy Chairman of the European Parliamentary Assembly Miko Ela and Georgian Minister of Communication Merab Adeishvili. During these meetings, a consensus was reached that Turkey would continue with its leading position in the region. President of Istanbul Stock Exchanges (IMKB) Osman Birsen said that Turkey was the most rapidly developing country in the region and that it deserved to be the leader. Maharaj Mutho said that Turkey and Istanbul would continue to play the role of leadership for the development of Eurasia. During the Summit to continue for three days, joint initiatives will be launched in the sectors of energy, construction, banking and finance. /Hurriyet/

ACTION PLAN BY THE MGK

The National Security Council (MGK) prepared the most comprehensive action strategy so that the reactionary personnel in all public offices can be dismissed. As part of the action plan, also sent to the Higher Education Council (YOK), Ministries and other public offices, it was requested that the efforts exerted would be compiled as a report and sent to the Prime Ministry. In the action plan, it was envisaged that the 312th Article should be amended in a way not to permit reactionary activities. The most important part of the action plan entitled the 'Struggle Strategy to be Carried Out Against the Political Islamic Activities' is the issue concerning education. /Cumhuriyet/

SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARIANS IN SOUTHEAST

A delegation consisting of eight members from different parties in the Swedish Parliament arrived in Diyarbakir yesterday to make observations in the region. The parliamentarians said positive developments have been experienced in the region when compaired to the past and they asked for the abolishment of the emergency state for the continuation of these developments. Marianne Andersson, a deputy from Conservative Party, also said Turkey should be a full EU member as soon as possible. /Aksam/

MIRZAOGLU: "TUGBOATS NEEDED FOR TANKERS PASSING THROUGH BOSPHORUS"

State Minister responsible for Maritime Affairs, Ramazan Mirzaoglu, said tankers passing through Bosphorus would be required to have a tugboat escort. Mr. Mirzaoglu said, "The Bosphorus Strait is among the world's most dangerous waterways. Even the most modern ships can break down. Our straits are open to international navigation and any ship can pass through provided they take proper precautions. It is impossible for deep-draft ships and tankers to navigate without the aid of a tugboat in the strait, which has two currents. Therefore, to ensure safe passage through the Bosphorus, the Maritime Undersecretariat has undertaken a study of existing laws and regulations in order to recommend new rules. Such new rules, following their approval, would be announced to the maritime community and added to the Straits Regulations signed in 1998. The study will also consider requiring dredgers to clean up spillage after a ship's passage." Mr. Mirzaoglu added he hoped to receive support for the new rules from every sector of society, especially from the International Maritime Organization(IMO) to improve safety. /Turkish Daily News/

INTERESTING SUGGESTION FROM NAKHICHEVAN

Deputy Prime Minister and ANAP (Motherland Party) Leader Mesut Yilmaz passed the Dilucu border gate between Turkey and Nakhicevan with an accompanying delegation comprising State Minister responsible for the Customs Mehmet Kececiler, State Ministers Rustu Kazim Yucelen and Edip Safder Gaydali, customs bureaucrats and the governors and met the Nakhicevan Autonomous Region Assembly's Speaker and the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister. During these meetings, officials from Nakhicevan and Azerbaijan wanted that the border gate between Turkey and Nakhicevan to be passed without requiring a passport. Officials from Nakhicevan and Azerbaijan requested that Dilucu Border Gate should be passed only with an identity card. /Turkiye/

YILMAZ TO TRAVEL TO ATHENS

Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Responsible for EU Affairs will leave for Athens today to participate in the Turco-Greek Cooperation Conference to be held on Nov. 2-4. Yilmaz is expected to deliver a speech in the conference, organized by the Turco-Greek Business Council. Today Yilmaz is scheduled to meet with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou as well as Constantinos Mitchotakis, the honorary chairman of the opposition party New Democracy. He is also expected to be received by Greek President Constantinos Stephanopoulos and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis tomorrow. /Turkiye/

COOPERATION BETWEEN BULGARIA AND TURKEY

Bulgarian and Turkish State Postal Services Administrations reached an agreement in principle to establish a cargo and packing transporting company. General Director of PTT, Dursun Dagasan, stated that an important step for the Eurasian Postal Association Pri was taken, which is planned to be established with Turkey's initiatives. Dagasan made an explanation to the Anatolia News Agency and said that a joint company would be established for cargo and package services of the state postal administrations of the two countries as part of the agreement reached with the Bulgarian State Postal Services. Dagasan added, "As part of this agreement, the limit of the package weight will be increased to 100 kg, which will provide a facility for the businessmen of the two countries. Other countries in Central Asia, Caucasus and the Balkans will also participate in the company, which would be established to render inexpensive and speedy postal services." /Hurriyet/

SHIP ACCIDENT: 2 TURKS DIED

It was stated that three people, two of whom were Turkish, died during an explosion occurring in the cargo ship with Malta flag in the Oman Gulf last night. Police stated that the reason for the explosion have not been determined yet. /Cumhuriyet/

AYTEKIN ASKS FOR SUPPORT

Minister of the Environment Fevzi Aytekin received Alexander Juras, Assistant to the Executive Director of Regional Environment Center (REC). Aytekin pointed out that the pollution in the lakes of Iznik and Beysehir reached its highest level and requested support from the European Union. Aytekin also asked support for the project "National Environment Database System" carried out by Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) aimed at preventing pollution in Turkey, and gave information to Juras about the project. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH-GREEK COMMERCIAL RELATIONS NOT AFFECTED BY CRISIS

The disagreement between Turkey and Greece on the status of the Aegean Sea did not turn this time into a serious crisis. Peace and cooperation process between the two countries was not negatively affected by this disagreement. Greek investors believe by cooperating with the Turkish firms, they will get the chance to do business in Central Asian states. Turkish investors, on the other hand, believe cooperation with the Greek firms will provide easier access to the markets in the EU. Hence, Turkish and Greek businessmen cooperate in business totaling billions of dollar. /Sabah/

BAGHDAD TRADE FAIR TO BE OPENED

State Minister Tunca Toskay and a Turkish delegation attended the Baghdad Trade Fair along with statesmen and businessmen from vaarious countries. The fair will be open for 10 days. At the opening ceremony, Iraqi Deputy President Taha Yasin Ramazan said 1,554 firms from 45 countries taking part in the fair will have certain privileges in the tenders and contracts put out by Iraq. /Sabah/

TURKISH FIRM CONSTRUCTS TERMINAL IN TASHKENT AIRPORT

Baytur construction firm undertakes the reconstruction of the terminal in Uzbekistan at the Tashkent Airport. Baytur will construct the building together with its German partner Philipp Holzmann. The European Investment and Development Bank and German government are financing the project, which will be completed in 18 months. /Sabah/

MARLO MORGAN TO COME TO TURKEY

Author Marlo Morgan, who is also the writer of the novel entitled 'Mutant Message Downunder', will attend the TUYAP Book Fair, the 19th of which will be organized at the Exhibition Palace in Istanbul on 4 November. The fair will be officialy opened by the Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay and author Sukran Kurdakul on 3 November. 259 publishing houses will exhibit their books during this fair, the main theme of which will be 'globalization'. /Hurriyet/

EXHIBITION IN EUROPE

The findings from Troja and Artemis, the important centers of the Classical Era, will be displayed in the exhibitions to take place in Germany and Austria. The exhibition entitled "Vision and Reality" containing the findings of the ancient city Troja will stay open between 17 March and 17 June in Stuttgart. The finding, which will take place in the Trojan exhibition will be collected from the Istanbul Archeological Museum and other 16 museums that contain these kinds of works. /Cumhuriyet/

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

TENSION REDUCED IN BUDAPEST BY SELIM IDIZ (STAR)

Columnist Semih Idiz writes on softening the tension between Greece andTurkey in Budapest. A summary of his column is as follows: "The meeting between Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou stopped the bleeding in Turco-Greek relations which seemed to have deteriorated and returned to the old tense days. This development shows that the 'opposing front' which seemed to dwell in pleasure in the face of the evolving tension is expected to retreat. The words reducing the tension have been voiced by both Ismail Cem and George Papandreou in Budapest. According to Cem, the rapprochement between the two peoples has to be supported by the political wing. Papandreou believes that to overcome the problems between the two states, political interests should be left in the back ground in the face of the pressures coming from the public. Certainly, there will be some who would try to say that political interests should not be sacrificed for the goodwill between the nations. However, the two Ministers believe that the sentiments of the public which have been ignored until now should be taken seriously. There is nothing wrong with this view. From the beginning of the rapprochement process, none of the countries surrendered anything or relinquished a right. The recent events taking place within the framework of NATO did not change this situation in any way. In fact, the crisis in NATO stemmed from the fact that none of the sides changed their positions. In other words, the game ended in a draw. Both countries highly benefited from the rapprochement process which spontaneously occurred after the earthquakes suffered by both countries. Turkish and Greek officials understood that the people did not view each other as enemies and there was no hostility among them. Even though this situation may not be to the liking of some who had gained a lot by the 'slogans of enmity' this was a fact not to be ignored. The views expressed by Cem and Papandreou in Budapest reflect this reality. On the other hand, the recent crisis in NATO which was not defined as a 'crisis' by the Turkish military officials clearly displayed a fact. On the Aegean issue, there is a serious lack of confidence which has not been overcome yet. In fact, NATO officials should have taken this fact into consideration and planned the war games accordingly. In Budapest, it was decided to carry out the 'Confidence Building Measures Package' to overcome such crises. This package which will be implemented under the supervision of NATO was proposed by Turkey. However, at this point it does not matter from where the suggestion came. The important issue at hand is to carry out studies directed towards a result. Therefore, it is pleasing to see that Cem and Papandreou have taken steps on the subject. Another pleasing news is that the Greek Parliament decided not to freeze a series of agreements contributing to the improvement of relations between the two countries. Today, the eyes are focused on Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's visit to Athens. There is no magic wand which will erase overnight all serious problems existing in Turco-Greek relations for a long time. However, there is no reason to wreck everything because there is no such magic wand. In short, I believe that despite all difficulties, efforts towards improving the relations between the two countries should continue."

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