SEZER'S STATEMENT

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer attended the 10 January meeting of Administrators Day. He said in a speech, "Turkey should renew itself in all issues. The administrators, who undertake important duties for the Turkish State, put forth their opinion about how to better the workings of State institutions. This is a useful initiative to solve some administrative and local problems. Big transformations have occurred in every field, especially in the last millenium, and as a result of the improvements in science and technology, all the States entered into a process of interaction, discussing and implementing the same concepts. The new ways of life, formed by democracy, the superiority of law, respect for the human rights and globalization caused great changes in the country's plans for the future. Many institutions are being restructured and their functions are beginning to change in the process of globalization." /Turkiye/

THE TRUTH ABOUT CYPRUS

It was uncovered that while the Cyprus Peace Force (UN-FICYP) was being set up in 1964, England accepted that "the Greek-Cypriot Administration cannot represent Cyprus alone and the legal Cyprus goverment includes the Turkish and Greek-Cypriot people." England registered her opinion into the records of the United Nations (UN). Sources close to the UN confirmed that England, Turkey, (the other guarantor country) and the Turkish-Cypriots, who were the partners of the Cyprus government established in 1960, officially transmitted their similar opinion to the UN. It was revealed for the first time that England, which did not see any inconsistancy in referring to the Greek-Cypriot Administration as the "Cyprus government" in the latest draft bills established by the Security Council, had just the opposite opinion in 1964 and stated it officialy to the UN. /Aksam/

ANKARA AGREES TO TALABANI'S DEMANDS

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (KYB) leader, Celal Talabani, received from Ankara what he wanted. It was revealed that Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave a positive answer to Talabani, who wanted a quota to be opened for Kurdish students in the universities. Ecevit received Talabani yesterday and was presented with a list of expectations. Within the framework of the cultural cooperation with the KYB, Ecevit said the educational opportunities could be ensured. It was stated that Talabani also demanded cooperation in the economic, financial, military and technical fields. Talabani gave a detailed report on Iraq's support of the PKK and complained about the increasing pressure. He added, "We are cooperating with all efforts against the elements that treaten the security in the region." Meanwhile, Ecevit said, "Stability is of the utmost importance in the Northern Iraq." /Aksam/

US DEFENCE NEWS: TURKEY EXPECTS EU SUPPORT FROM BUSH

The US Defence News commented on Turkey's UN Ambassador, Onur Oymen's statement, saying that Turkey will seek support from US defence circles to be included in the new European Defence Structure. Onur Oymen had said: "We want the Bush administration to examine the issue of a European Force carefully, listen to all her allies and take a stand which considers all the interests of the NATO member countries." /Turkey/

CEM IN SUDAN

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem delivered a speech in the seminar entitled 'Turco-Sudanese Commercial and Economic Relations' yesterday. Cem is Sudan on an official visit. He said that relations between the two countries should be developed and Turkey could make important contributions for the improvement of Sudan. /Sabah/

ALPOGAN TO VISIT ALBANIA

Foreign Ministry Asssistant Undersecretary Yigit Alpogan left Turkey for Tirana at the invitation of Albanian Foreign Ministry. In the written statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Alpogan was to be received by Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and was to discuss regional and recent international developments. /Turkish Daily News/

POWELL: "OUR RELATIONS WILL BE MUCH BETTER"

New US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has sent warm messages to Turkey via the daily 'Hurriyet'. He said: "Our relations will be much better". Powell was the Chief of General Staff during the Gulf War and comprehends the strategic importance of Turkey. Powell added: "I believe we will work in close cooperation with the Turkish government with positive and constructive relations". /Hurriyet/

FRENCH ASSEMBLY'S FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMISSION APPROVES ARMENIAN BILL

The French Assembly's Foreign Relations Commission approved the so-called Armenian genocide bill. The French Assembly will discuss the bill in its Plenary Session on January 18. A delegation consisting of Turkish parliamentarians are in Paris to prevent the approval of the bill. They warn that approval of the bill by the French Assembly will seriously harm the Turco-French relations. /Hurriyet/

SESTANOVICH: "BUSH WILL SUPPORT BAKU-CEYHAN"

Stephen Sestanovich, Advisor to US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, stated that President-Elect George Bush would support the Baku-Ceyhan project just as the Clinton Administration did. Sestanovich said: "I do not believe there are real differences between the parties in Washington on basic principles pursued by the Clinton Administration concerning the Caspian energy projects". /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY WANTS TO NORMALIZE ITS RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

Turkey is in search of a new policy in order to normalize its relations with Armenia amid the moves to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide in various parliaments around the world. A report presented by the Turkish Foreign Ministry and submitted to the government, states the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia would be beneficial in preventing similar activities by the Armenian diaspora. The issue of Nagorno-Karabakh has also been a focal point. Diplomatic sources said the dispute over the region should be resolved. /All papers/

YILMAZ IN BERLIN

Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz went to Berlin on a private plane to attend the 20th Conference of the European Democratic Union (EDU) party leaders. Minister of Tourism, Erkan Mumcu, Cavit Kavak, and Turgut Yilmaz accompanied him. Yilmaz stated the subject of this year's meeting was "European Union Expansion" adding, "Some parties in Europe are against Turkey's membership to the EU. We are going to discuss this issue." /Aksam/

MEDAL FOR GENERAL OZKOK

Turkish Land Forces Commander General Hilmi Ozkok was given the Order of Merit, the highest Pakistani military medal. General Ozkok was deemed worthy of this medal for his sucessful efforts in the military. Ozkok's medal was pinned on him by Pakistani President Muhammed Rafik Tarar. Tarar received Ozkok at the Presidential Palace and during the meeting, he told the Turkish delegation that the mutual meetings with the Pakistani officials led to warm international relations. Pakistani Land Forces Commander, Lieteunent General Yusuf Han, was also present at the meeting, during which the parties gave warm messages to each other. Meanwhile, Ozkok visited Pakistani Air Forces Commander, General Marshal Mashaf Ali Mir, at his office. /Aksam/

ATTACK AGAINST THE POLICE IN ISTANBUL

A police car on patrol in Bagcilar, Istanbul was attacked by 3 gun men yesterday. During the incident, one police officer died and one was injured. Meanwhile, three people, who carried out the attack, car jacked a nearby car and escaped. An operation was started to capture the criminals. /Aksam/

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSAL ON TRACK

Following approval of a motion submitted by the ruling parties and the Virtue Party (FP) deputies, the proposal to amend Articles 69, 86, 101 and Provisional Article 15 of the Constitution was sent to a sub-commission formed as a part of the Constitutional Commission. /All papers/

GUNGOR EXCLUDED FROM MHP

Ycel deputy, Ali Gungor, who said, "It is traditional for Ecevit to forgive the traitors" during the amnesty discussions at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), was excluded from the Nationalist Action Party (MHP). /Star/

TURKSAT 2A AT THE SPACE

Turkey's new satellite, Turksat 2A, was launched yesterday from the Korou space headquarters in French Guinea of South America. The satellite is recognized as the biggest in Europe and will be used for networks, tv and radio broadcasts. /Turkiye/

TOBB DELEGATION IN GERMANY

A delegation of 210 people from the Turkish Chambers and Stock Exchanges Association (TOBB), travelling to Germany to attend the Heim Textile Fair, were not subject to customs and passport transactions. TOBB Chairman Fuat Miras said, "Before the Ramadan Festival, I met the German Ambassador and he said a Schengen visa, good for the same time period as the passport, will be given to the TOBB member businessmen. He wanted us to give a list of names within this framework." Meanwhile, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Spokesman to the Turkish Desk, Volker Pelet spoke to the Anatolian news agency reporter and said, "A Schengen visa good for five years was given to the Turkish businessmen and a consensus was reached with the Schengen countries concerning the issue." /Aksam/

TELETAS' SUCCESS

Alcatel Teletas won the telephone power station bidding in Azerbaijan. The bid agreement was signed by Aztelekom and was put into effect. The agreement covers the sale and establishment of S12 power stations and tranmission equipment in three years and in three phases. The total amount of the project was 6 million 960 thousand US dollars. /Aksam/

KOC: "THE INFLATION RATE WILL BE 10 % IN TURKEY"

Head of the Koc Holding Company, Rahmi Koc, stated inflation was in a declining trend and said: "We will see the inflation rate in Turkey at 10 %". Koc participated in a reception held at the Rahmi Koc Museum marking the VKV American Hospital's being awarded the ISO 9001 Quality System Certificate. /Sabah/

DEMIRALP: "INTEREST RATES WILL FURTHER DECLINE"

Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said markets began to normalize following the crisis last year adding, the interest rates would also fall down into line with the program being implemented between Turkey and the IMF. Demiralp stated that meetings would be held with the IMF for the utilization of additional reserves. /Sabah/

IMKB REACHES 11,000 POINTS

The transaction volume in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) increased by 679 points yesterday and reached 11,000 points. The interest rates in Interbank decreased to 40 %. /Hurriyet/

RECORD YEAR IN TOURISM

Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu said that for the first time, Turkey hosted more than 10 million tourists and added that this success was the result of the dynamism and energic structure of the tourism sector in Turkey. Mumcu pointed to the number of tourists visiting Turkey which increased by 40 % when compared to last year noting the number of tourists coming from OECD countries also rose. /Hurriyet/

GOLD 2001 FAIR IN ISTANBUL

The 'Gold 2001 Fair' organized in Istanbul by the Ite Apex Fair Company opened yesterday. The fair will run through 14 January. /Hurriyet/

NECATI CUMALI DIES

Necati Cumali, who left unforgettable works to the world of Turkish literature, died yesterday. The famous poet, playwright and the author of many stories and novels, Necati Cumali, died at the age of 80 and left an inheritance of immortal works of art. /Aksam/

ITU PLAYERS IN HUNGARY

Theatre players from the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) will represent Turkey in the 'French Plays Festival' to be held in Hungary on February 14-16. /Cumhuriyet/

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

REASON AND FRENCH POLITICANS BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)

Columnist Hasan Cemal writes about the bill on French National Assembly agenda concerning the so-called Armenian Genocide. A summary of his column is as follows: "It is impossible to believe, but it will be a crime to say that there has been no genocide. The bill concerning the issue has been accepted by the Foreign Relations Committee of the Assembly. It will now be debated in the plenary session. In the words of Prof. Soysal 'France is known to be country of Descartes, Pascal, Voltaire and Braudel advocating the freedom of thought and scientific expression, not a country where doubts in the minds of people are silenced by laws passed with political aims. History has never been rewritten by politicans and parties concerned over local elections. Why should it be the case in France?' This bill also violates the French Constitution. All reasonable French jurists are of the same opinion. When this law passes, no one in France will be able to say the Armenian Genocide had not occurred. Even though a person may think so, he cannot express his ideas in a newspaper or a magazine. What is more, he cannot conduct academic research on the issue. If he talks or researches the subject, he will violate the law and commit a crime. Where is the freedom of expression, where is the freedom of academic thought and research and where is democracy? It seems none of these issues concern the French politicians. They are only concerned with the votes they will get. There is nothing they would not do for the sake of a few votes. It seems they can even sell freedom and democracy for the sake of a few votes. What else does it mean when a law is enacted which says it is a crime to deny the genocide of the Armenians. The French National Assembly which said history was not their concern when the Algerian problem was in question, where they saw fit to treat Algerians inhumanly during the 1950s, are attempting to rewrite history and even judge past events when a few votes are at stake. It sees no harm in creating new animosities from past events. The French politicians are on the verge of humiliating France with an action not easily corrected. Furthermore, they are in a state of unwariness. In other words, the French National Assembly and French politicians are not aware they are playing with fire. As they are using history as political material, they are sowing the seeds of new animosities between Turks and Armenians and Turkey and Armenia. The correct path to follow is to leave history to historians. There is no other way. Time is still needed to heal the wounds in the minds of Armenian and Turkish societies inflicted by the great tragedies suffered by the war almost a century ago. Therefore, it is necessary to initiate relations between the peoples of Turkey and Armenia while searching for historical facts, discussing them and thinking them over. Turkey has to take some immediate steps regarding these issues. Ankara should not be occupied with the trial of history, but open up ways of research, and establish 'Turco-Armenian joint platforms' in the academic arena to this end. What normalizing relations with Armenia requires should also take place in Ankara's program as the subject of reasonable evaluations. We cannot go anywhere by storming at France or French politicians. Let us have them see the mistake they are making, while taking steps necessary so our history is no longer a problem for us anymore by taking Turkey's high interests into consideration."

OLD ISSUES