SEZER RECEIVES GREEK-ORTHODOX PATRIARCH

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received the Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos and Ilia Neranculis and Evangelos Galanis at the Cankaya Presidential Palace yesterday. The meeting was closed to the press. Bartholomeos issued a statement after the meeting and said, "We came here to congratulate Mr. Sezer on behalf of the Patriarchate and the Greek-Orthodox society. We wanted to wish him success in his duty. We also wished him to have a nice Ramadan. We gave Mr. Sezer information that interests the Patriarchate and the Greek-Orthodox society and requested his help." /Aksam/

ECEVIT'S STATEMENT

Ecevit, stating the operations against the prisons were a success, added, "Terrorists should have understood that they cannot challenge the state. The street clashes were the result of provocations. We have to act very carefully. Importantly, prisoners will no longer be the center of terrorism and this is a significant success." Ecevit also stated he did not have the opportunity to meet the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice, adding, "The security forces carried out the operation very successfully, worked in full harmony. I congratulate all the security forces. The preparations for the synchronized assault began weeks ago. From now on any further developments required by the State will be carried out soundly. Prisons will no longer be the center of terrorism. The operations will mark the beginning of a new era in the prisons." /Aksam/

PRISONERS ARE TRANSPORTED TO THE F-TYPE PRISONS

The intervention in the prisons resulted in implementation of the F-type prisons. 700 prisoners, who have been removed from 18 of 20 prisons, were transported to the F-type prisons. 118 prisoners were transported from Bayrampasa prison to an F-type prison in Edirne. 100 prisoners from Bayrampasa prison and nearly 200 prisoners from Gebze special-type prison were transported to the F-type prison in Kocaeli. The transportations would continue until the 368 person capacity is reached. Meanwhile, 26 female prisoners from the separatist terrorist organization and 19 female prisoners of the extreme leftist organization were sent to Bakirkoy Female and Children Prison. In addition, 235 prisoners from Cankiri, Ceyhan, Bartin, Nevsehir, Aydin and Malatya prisons were sent to the F-type prison in Sincan. The death toll of Operation Back to Life climbed to 19. 17 prisoners and 2 soldiers died and 82 people, 4 of whom are security officials, were injured. The Ministry of the Interior stated that 187 of 284 prisoners, who are on death fasts, and 634 of 802 prisoners, who are on the hunger strikes, were rescued. /Milliyet-Aksam/

LOGOGLU'S STATEMENT

The increase in the protests and demonstrations against the F-type prisons alarmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had warned the foreign missions abroad. The Embassies and the Consul Generals in Europe were warned before the operations against the prisons and security measures in foreign missions were increased in case of possible retaliations. It was added that the Ministry of the Interior gave information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the operations. Further, the information taken from the Crisis Administration Center, established within the Ministry of the Interior concerning the operations, was given to the foreign missions abroad. Meanwhile, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Faruk Logoglu, stated that the F-type prisons were being closely watched and they were acceptable according to the standards of the European Council. /Aksam/

TURKEY LIMITS ITS CONTRIBUTION TO ESDI WITHIN THE REGION

Turkey demanded the right for full and equal participation in any operation directly related to its own security issues, so that problems regarding the participation of Turkey in the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) could be resolved. However the EU did not favor this proposal. A high ranking official from the Foreign Ministry said, "If a crisis situation breaks out in a region near Turkey and the EU wants to intervene in the situation, this will affect Turkey's security. Also, this situation will be within the operation area of Article 5 of the NATO Convention. We have deep concerns about this issue. It may have negative repercussion on the territorial integrity of Turkey." He furher said the relations between the EU and NATO will be established under varying conditions, such as peace, crisis and war. He enumerated Turkey's demands for the three conditions. In peace time, Turkey wants to have continuous consultation with the EU. Turkey wants to participate in military maneuvres, to have representatives in political and military committees and to discuss probable crises. In crisis, Turkey wants to have equal and full participation right to the planning and the operation phases when NATO capabilities will be used. In time of war, Turkey wants to have strategic administration and political control rights in operations carried out with NATO resources. /Cumhuriyet/

HUNTER: "TURKEY IS RIGHT ABOUT ITS DESIRE"

An expert from the think tank RAND Corporation, retired Ambassador Robert Hunter said Turkey is a very important US ally. Stressing it was wrong to exclude Turkey from the European Defence and Security Identity (ESDI), Ambassador Hunter said, "If the EU wants to use NATO facilities, they should attach importance to the desires of non EU member countries. Turkey is right about both its demand to be included in the decision making process of the ESDI, and vetoing NATO. The US administration shares Turkey's concern on the matter." /Turkiye/

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TOMORROW

The National Security Council (NSC), chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, will convene tomorrow. During the last NSC meeting of the year, the recent prison events, amnesty topic, as well as foreign developments will be discussed. /Star/

ARMENIAN LOBBY ASKS BUSH TO RECOGNIZE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE

The Armenian lobby in the United States has acted quickly and asked President-elect George W. Bush to officially recognize the so-called Armenian genocide. The Chairman of the Armenian National Council (ANCA) in the United States, Aram Hamparian, sent a letter to Bush on behalf of the Armenian community reportedly congratulating him on his election and asking for his support in the recognition of the so-called genocide. During the presidential campaign both the Democratic candidate Vice President Al Gore and Republican candidate Texas Governor George W. Bush made statements that pleased Armenians. /Turkish Daily News/

DECREE WITH THE POWER OF LAW AUTHORITY

A draft law giving the government authority to enact decrees with the power of law regarding administrative, financial and social rights regulations for civil servants was accepted during the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) plenary session last night. The authority was limited to three months. In the balloting, the Virtue Party (FP) and the True Path Party (DYP) deputies voted against the bill. /Star/

GEMICI: "272 TRILLION TL WAS TRANSFERRED TO QUAKE VICTIMS"

State Minister Hasan Gemici said TL12 trillion was transferred to the quake victims as an accomodation aid for the last time. Hitherto, TL272.4 trillion has been granted 420,059 earthquake victims. /Sabah/

BUDGET DISCUSSIONS DRAWS TO AN END

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) completed discussions on the 2001 budget. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said after the approval of the new budget, "It has been a productive session. We will act in a balanced and thrifty manner." According to the 2001 budget the administrations with general and subsidiary budgets will receive, in total, TL48 quadrillion 360 trillion. 34.5 % of the subsidiary budgets comprise the interest payments. The government plans to decrease the inflation in 2001 to 10-12 %. The rate of the budget deficit versus Gross National Product will be decreased to 3.4 %. /Milliyet/

APPROVAL OF THE IMF AND WORLD BANK CREDITS

Turkey and the World Bank will sign the agreement for the $1 billion loan today. According to the World Bank statement, agreements signed today are for the $778 million Fiscal Sector Adjustment Loan (FSAL) and $250 million Privatization Social Support Project Loan. The World Bank Executive Directors will decide at today's meeting the upper limit of loans that will be given to Turkey in three years. It is expected to be $5 billion. The IMF Executive Board will approve $10.4 billion support credit today. /Milliyet/

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO IMF TO BE ANNOUNCED

The IMF will discuss today the third supplementary letter of intent given by Turkey. The letter includes the limitation of wage increases within the rate of target inflation and the privatization program of Telekom, Turkish Airlines, Petkim, Tupras, Tekel and Eti Holding. The IMF will provide Turkey with $550 million stand-by credit and $2.2 billion supplementary reserve facility once the letter is ratified. /Cumhuriyet/

YILMAZ: "WE SHOULD FULFIL OUR OBLIGATIONS"

Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said Turkey should carry out its obligations first, before hoping that relations with the EU will improve. Yilmaz said, "Turkey wants to be a full EU member. We should first solve the problems within Turkey. Turkey seems to be reluctant to carry out the requirements for the full EU membership. Without implementing the required reforms in our society full membership is not possible." /Cumhuriyet/

ISMAIL CEM RECEIVES EL VEIS

Iraqi Foreign Undersecretary, Ismail Nuri El Veis paid a two-day visit in Ankara. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem received El Veis. El Veis requested that the Operation Northern Watch not be extended by the Turkish authorities. However, Foreign Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu said they are worried about the situation in Northern Iraq. The situation poses serious danger to the security of Turkey. Under these circumstances it is difficult for Turkey to meet Iraq's request on this issue. He said they reached an agreement on the location of a second border gate. /Cumhuriyet/

BIRSEN IS OPTIMISTIC FOR THE YEAR 2001

Chairman of Istanbul Stock Exchanges (IMKB), Osman Birsen, said the year 2000 was successsful in terms of developing the IMKB. Birsen added, "The number of personal investors increased from 400,000 to 1,400,000, which is one of the indicators of success. We also expect next year to be successful." The 2001 Budget was accepted with unanimity at the General Council, chaired by the Chairman of the Association of Intermediary Institutions. Deputy Chairman of the IMKB, Esin Akbulut, said that an income of 179 trillion 922 billion TL and an expenditure budget of 179 trillion 92 billion TL is envisaged this year. /Aksam/

OZEN: "MOODY'S RATE IS A SIGN OF OUR STABILITY"

Director General of Garanti Bank, Ergun Ozen said the rate given by Moody's is a sign for the stability and decisiveness of the Garanti Bank. Ozen said Garanti Bank received a "C" rating, the highest rate a Turkish Bank has ever received. /Milliyet/

EUROPEAN INTEREST IN ILISU DAM

Foreign investors continue to be interested in the Ilisu Dam which is planned to be constructed in the Hasankeyf town of Batman. Following Switzerland Minister of Economy, David Syz's visit to the dam in September, a delegation from the British House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee is continuing to observation the region. The construction of the Ilisu Dam is expected to cost $2 billion and will create job opportunity for about 6,000 workers in the first year of the construction and then for 20,000 workers. It will be financed by an international consortium. /Turkiye/

BRAIN-MACHINE WORKSHOP 2000

Turkey's first International Brain-Machine Workshop started at the Middle East Technical University's (METU) Cultural and Congress Center. The member of the Executive Board of the Turkish Intelligence Foundation, Prof. Ugur Halici, chairs the conference, sponsored by Turkcell and Istanbul Stock Exchanges (IMKB) and organized by the Turkish Intelligence Foundation. Halici said, "We have organized this conferance to bring our works at the 'Seeing and Artificial Plexus Research Labaratory' to the international forum." The conference will end tomorrow. /Aksam/

BOGAZICI UNIVERSITY DEBATE TEAM TO REPRESENT TURKEY

Bogazici Universisy Debate Team will represent Turkey in 21th World Inter-universities Debate Tournament Dec.26-Jan.3 in Glascow. /Cumhuriyet/

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

DEMOCRACY DOES NOT MEAN INCOMPETENCE BY IZZET SEDES (AKSAM)

Columnist Izzet Sedes comments on the recent incidents in prisons. A summary of his column is as follows: "The proverb says 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'. It is impossible not to pity not only the prisoners on hunger strikes protesting their transfer to F-type prisons, but also their parents, sisters, brothers and children. It is a tragic situation which tears at one's heart. However,I respect the privates who lost their lives protecting the credibility of the state and the sorrow of their families. Turkey is passing through hard times. Everybody is tense, morale is low, and hopelessnes increases daily. For months we have been faced with one bad news after another. The Government has justly intervened in the scandalous situation which has been ongoing for years in the prisons. True, democracy means freedom and human rights, but when it tends to be an anarchy created by prisoners, it is natural for the Government to exercise its right to intervene. In fact, I was expecting an intervention much sooner after witnessing the rule of anarchy and chaos there. The incidents of the last few days cannot be found in any country throughout the world. No Government can accept the demands of the prisoners or tolerate uprisings. It is a well known fact what had happened to the members of the Baader-Meinhof gang in Germany. The German Government one night announced that eight members of the gang had committed suicide. Recently, French prisoners in an uprising, were overtaken by armed French security forces and put into cells. The tragic situation in the prisons has been going on for years. Some of the prisoners were not only protesting the administration of the jails, but also the design of the dormitories and the execution system in force. The Government has resisted the provocations for a long time. As shown on a television channel, the inmates which were to begin hunger strikes were chosen in a strange ceremony, and had a red ribbon tied around their head bearing the symbols (hammer and sickle) of communist Russia. Communist Russia has collapsed, no communist, as such, is left in the world. These children are using these symbols while starting hunger strikes! Therefore I believe the Government is justified. No country in the world can be ruled from prisons, and inmates cannot decide which type of a dormitory should be used. Furthermore, F-type are prisons are widely used throughout the world. Democracy does not mean incompetence. The Government is trying to demonstrate this fact."

FIASCO AND INSINCERITY BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)

Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the recent intervention in prisons. A summary of his column is as follows: "I am not writing about the irony of 17 people dead in an operation called 'Back to Life'. It is believed the Government did not approach the crisis correctly from the start. We have a few statements to add to those beliefs. The Government had to bring order to the prisons and reinstate its authority over these institutions, non-existent until now. This does not concern honour, but the credibility of the administration. Leaving the Eastern countries aside, there is no state in the West which would say it was unable to enter its prisons. As there is no concept of amnesty for murderers and robbers in the West, the existence of prisons where wardens cannot enter is out of the question. Furthermore, there is no European country where the Interior and Justice Ministers would not resign upon learning that anything from automatic weapons to mobile phones, from drugs to prostitutes can be taken into the prisons. From this prospective, not only the Ecevit Government, but all past Governments, are to blame. This incident is a fiasco for the Government. Leaving this aside, there are also questions concerning the behaviour of those hunger strikers protesting F-type prisons. The convicts are saying there is no administration which protects against bad treatment. The question is not whether this is true or not. But, I sincerely wonder, how can those protesting the use of force, can act with such cruelty against themselves and suffer so much? If this had been a passive resistance, like that of Ghandi's, it could have been understood. This would been the best response to the probability of violence. However, if the reason is protesting torture, how does the end justify such cruel means when self-immolation occurs. This calls another answer to mind. 'The prisoners are protesting the dormitory system for different reasons. They do not want to abolish the free system they have established. That is, they want to continue to rule an area where no state authority exists. Otherwise, someone escaping from torture, would not torture himself.' The Government has failed in solving this problem. However, it is also evident as well that the strikers are not sincere.

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