TURKEY DISCUSSES SANCTIONS AGAINST FRANCE

Turkey is reviewing its relations with France after approval of the so-called Armenian bill by the French National Assembly. During the National Security Council (MGK) meeting today the topic will also be discussed. The MGK, presided over by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, will evaluate alternative action plans prepared by the Foreign Ministry, the Office of General Staff and other institutions. Ambassador Sonmez Koksal, recalled from Paris recently, is also expected to participate in the meeting. Additionally, various NGOs and political party members are continuing to hold demonstrations against France. A group of youths from Erzincan protested the Armenian bill in a demonstration in Alacakoy at the cemetery where Turks slaughtered by Armenians were buried. In the meantime, many institutions, firms and associations called on citizens to boycott French goods. /Turkiye/

FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN MIDDLE EAST

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, currently in the Middle East, met first with his Libyan counterpart, Abdurrahman Muhammed Shalkam, and then with Palestinian leader, Yaser Arafat. Mr. Cem signed a minutes of accord with Mr. Shalkam foreseeing regular consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries. /Cumhuriyet/

DIPLOMATIC CONTACT BETWEEN ANKARA AND YEREVAN

Turkey has decided to hold diplomatic contacts directly with Armenia in order to overcome the tension in the international arena. The tension was created by the attempts of Armenian lobbies to pass the so-called Armenian genocide bill in the assemblies of various countries. As a first step, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved attendance of representatives from Armenian non-governmental organizations and state, to a meeting by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Association (TESEV) organized to evaluate the "Caucasus Stability Pact" in Istanbul, February 17. Representatives from Turkey, EU member countries, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran are also expected to attend the meeting. The Foreign Ministry presented its progress report, which foresees holding diplomatic contacts with Armenia to the government last week. Defending the stance that the history should be investigated and judged by historians and scientific institutions not by politicians, Turkey wants to persuade Armenia to take up a similar point of view. Turkey wants Armenia to see the necessity of taking all dimensions of the issue into consideration. Representatives from the Foreign Ministry said diplomatic contacts did not mean diplomatic relations. Recalling that current policy over Armenia was not favorable to Turkey, representatives said, "The right thing to do is to discuss the problems directly with Armenia. This is the only way we can stop the activities of the Diaspora." /Cumhuriyet/

YAVUZ: "FRENCH ARCHIVES PROVE THERE WAS NO GENOCIDE"

Ankara University Turkish Revolution History Institute lecturer, Associate Professor Bilge Yavuz, said Turkey might express her views in the international arena by using foreign historical archives. Yavuz said, "We can defeat them with their own archives. For example, there are many documents in the French archives pointing to the genocide carried out by the Armenians." /Cumhuriyet/

CILLER'S STATEMENT CONCERNING FRANCE

True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller wanted French President Jacques Chirac to actively try to prevent the so-called Armenian genocide bill from being accepted. Ciller sent a message to Chirac in which she mentioned the Turkish nation's distress about the decision. Ciller stated historical facts were being distorted, and friendship between Turkey and France would be damaged as a result of the decision. In her message, Ciller added, "I believe our mutual duty is not to damage the present good relations, but to preserve friendly relations between the two nations and to further them. Within this framework, I believe your personal intervention will stop this hostile and unfair act. Mr. President, I call upon you to strongly oppose this decision and take all the necessary measures to block this decision." /Milliyet/

LONDON FOLLOWS PARIS ?

The British press, trying to include the so-called Armenian genocide into the January 27 Holocaust Commemoration Day, gave coverage to the allegations, stating the British government was also preparing for such an attempt. The Daily Observer said, "There is a possibility of including the Armenians killed by the Turks into the commemoration day which will be attended by Tony Blair and Prince Charles." The Observer used certain statements as if the allegations of the so-called genocide were true. The Observer stated the British government could not be indifferent to the Armenian complaints, stating the government has ignored them thus far in order to avoid damaging its relations with Turkey. The newspaper also stated such an attempt by the British government would seriously damage relations with Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

SHIP SINKS IN BOSPHORUS

Two small Turkish flagged cargo ships, collided head-on sinking one at the mouth of the Bosphorus on Sunday. No casualties or missing were reported. The 66-meter Kaptan Cavit, carrying 1,130 tons of wheat and seven crew members, collided with another Turkish ship, the 55-meter Nadya, while departing the Bosphorus for the Black Sea. While the Nadya was damaged, the Kaptan Cavit sank three hours after the accident. /Turkiye/

TGNA DELEGATION IN DENMARK

A two person delegation, Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Deputy, Huseyin Akgul and True Path Party (DYP) Deputy Kadir Bozkurt, traveled to Denmark. The delegation will observe human rights issues of Turkish citizens living in Denmark. /Cumhuriyet/

GEMICI TRAVELS TO SWEDEN

Minister of State, Hasan Gemici, traveled to Sweden to attend the "Social Gender Equality" and "Social Security" seminars. /Cumhuriyet/

BROCHURES FOR EXPLAINING FACTS ABOUT THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE

The members of the TGNA at the European Council went to Strasbourg to participate in the first round of the General council meetings. The chairman of the delegation, DSP deputy Uluc Gurkan, said brochures have been prepared for the European parliamentarians which explain the facts regarding the so-called genocide. Mr. Gurkan said, "There exist exemplary books on the subject. We prepared a summary of these books in the brochures, so all parliamentarians could readily find the sources." Mr. Gurkan said two main issues will be discussed at the meeting. The first is the re-voting of Turkey's membership at the bureau. The second is the acceptance of the accreditations by Azerbaijan and Armenia for the European Council. /Aksam/

DEPUTIES PARTICIPATE IN BAPB MEETING

Deputies of the TGNA, Sancar Sayin, Ismail Kahraman and Basri Coskun went to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to participate in the Union of Asian Assemblies for Peace (BAPB) meeting. Deputies will discuss joint strategies and action plans for establishing peace in Asian countries. /Aksam/

TURKEY SIGNS THE EUROPEAN AGREEMENT FOR USING THE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

The European Agreement for Children's Rights was approved by the plenary session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Thus, Turkey signed one more agreement common to Western countries before its membership to the European Union (EU). In the Agreement's Fifth Article's `b' sub-section, the right of children to 'hire a lawyer through other persons or institutions or by themselves, and if another representative is considered to be convenient' takes place. The sub-sections of the agreement give children the right to select a special representative to defend them. The Fourth Article of the agreement give children the right to determine his/her representative before the law when the children's trustees are in conflict with one another. The agreement will be implemented for minor children under the age of 18. /Hurriyet/

COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE ON NATURAL GAS

[B A Cooperation Protocol was signed between the State-owned Pipeline Company (BOTAS) and Greek state-owned natural gas company (DEPA). The protocol covers the launching of feasibility studies regarding the construction of a pipeline between the two countries, and of a Southern European natural gas ring, to be financed by EU. The protocol was signed during the second meeting of the European Commission-Turkey-Greece Triopot Technical Group, attended by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Greek Ministry in charge of electrical affairs, and the state pipeline companies of two countries BOTAS and DEPA. In a statement signed at the end of the meeting, the importance of transmitting natural gas from the Caspian Basin, Russia and the Middle East through Turkey and Greece to the Balkans by means of Southern European Natural gas ring, was emphasized. /Turkish Daily News/

PAPANDROEU CONGRATULATES KUTLUAY

Ibrahim Kutluay, the successful Turkish basketball player for AEK basketball team in Greece, came in second place in the 'three scores' competition, and received his award from the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou. After the All-Stars match, Papandreou said, "I am following you very closely. You are the Ambassador from now on. You built a bridge of peace and friendship between the two countries. It pleases me honor that the Greek people love you so much. Your success makes me happy. You undertook a very important role for the rapprochement of the two countries. We politicians should support you. I hope you will live in Greece for many years and continue your duty. The best aspect of sport is to bring people together. You succeeded in the best way and have set an example for others." /Hurriyet/

TURKISH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM IN EL SALVADOR

The 22 person Turkish search and rescue team set out immediately after the earthquake in El Salvador, which killed 697 people. After the team reached El Salvador, it was directed to Santa Tecia and Comasagua towns west of San Salvador. The 22 person team consists of 15 people from the Directorate General of Civil Defense and 7 people from the voluntary GEA search institution. With its technical equipment and experienced staff, the Turkish team searched for the living at Santa Tecia, where 3,000 people were affected and many houses were collapsed. However, their initiatives did not give any positive result. The Turkish team met with Red Crescent officials in the region and delivered medical aid materials it brought from Turkey to the officials for use in the disaster region. Officials in El Salvador ended the search and rescue efforts in the region and began removal of the ruins. However, officials fearing the possibility of after shocks wanted the Turkish team to stay in the region a couple more days. /Hurriyet/

AEGEAN TOURISM UNION TO BE ESTABLISHED

The Izmir Trade Chamber (IZTO) accelerated its efforts to establish a tourism union in the Aegean Region. Three working groups were organized to work on the project. The Union will consist of the institutions and associations from the tourism industry. IZTO aims to revive the tourism activities in the Aegean region. /Cumhuriyet/

FOREIGNERS HOPEFUL FROM TURKEY

According to the news by NTVMSNBC, foreign investors, who have kept away from Turkey after the November financial crisis, are again optimistic about Turkey. The foreign investors welcome the Constitutional changes and the Electricity Market Draft Law's being enacted by the Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The developments concerning the issue of privatization are being closely followed. The Dutch investment bank ABN Amro made its weekly evaluation. The evaluation said the optimistic expectations concerning Turkey have not been reflected on the bonds interests yet, and suggested investors increase Turkish bonds in their portfolios. /Milliyet/

TURKEY TO LAUNCH SATELITE

Turkey, who now has three satellites after launching TURKSAT 2A, and which has six satellite positions, should launch three more satellites by 2006 so it does not lose these positions. According to the Telecommunications Law, Turkey has to get permission from the Ministry of Communication and then apply to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to be able to launch satellite. /Sabah/

YILMAZ'S STATEMENT

Chairman of the Turkish Association of Young Businessmen (TUGIAD), Muharrem Yilmaz, said TUGIAD could serve as a bridge between the young business world in Central Asia and the young people in European Union (EU) member countries during the next term. Yilmaz called upon all young businessmen in Turkey to announce their national statement under the roof of the TUGIAD as well as the local and sector associations. Yilmaz added they would open a new branch in Ankara and Bursa during the new period and that TUGIAD, which has a branch office in Brussels, was willing to open another office in the US. /Sabah/

GRAMMY AWARD TO ARIF MARDIN

The world famous musician, Arif Mardin, added one more award to his list. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences deemed the Turkish producer Arif Mardin worthy of the Grammy Award's Special Gift of Success. Mardin, who is the senior Deputy Chairman of Atlantic Records, will attend the award ceremony on 20 February in Los Angeles to receive his award. /Hurriyet/

NEW INVESTMENTS FOR THE DEFENSE

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said the defensive strength of the country will be enhanced by new investments of $8 billion. The main defense projects are as follows: 1. Negotiations are held with the American firm, Bell Textron, for attack helicopters totaling $4 billion. If an agreement is reached, helicopters will be made in the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) construction complex. 2. The first 250 of 1000 new generation tanks, totaling $1.750 billion, will be produced by joint ventures. The licensing firm will be chosen this year. 3. Negotiations with the American firm, Boeing, are continuing for the contract of $1.5 billion worth AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircrafts. 4. The German firm, Larrsen, completed the first of six mine-sweeper ships, totaling $620 million, in Germany. The other five will be produced in Turkey and completed in 2002. /Aksam/

ORAL: "ECONOMY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK"

Minister of Finance Sumer Oral said the economic targets were reached in the three-year stability program signed with the IMF. Stressing his hopefulness for the year 2001, Mr. Oral said amount of interest was decreased from 45% to 34% in the 2001 budget. He also pointed out the inflation rate is expected to be 12% this year. /Turkiye/

THREE-MONTH BOND TENDER FROM THE TREASURY

The Treasury will carry out a three-month bond tender tomorrow. With this tender the treasury will borrow around $571 million from domestic markets. /Aksam/

COTTON IS THE BACKBONE OF SANLIURFA ECONOMY

Approximately 662.000 tons of cotton was produced in Sanliurfa last year. Cotton is the main source of income $4.5 million, in the local economy. /Aksam/

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

DEMIREL TO PARIS!!.... BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)

Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag comments on the acceptance of the so-called Armenian genocide bill by the French National Assembly. A summary of his column is as follows: "French Head of State Jacques Chirac received President Demirel during his February 1998 visit, with these words: 'We accept you as a member of the family with feelings of admiration, respect and friendship.' During this visit, Turkish-French friendship, rooted in history, and national interests coinciding in a wide spectrum, were frequently voiced. An 'Action Plan' foreseeing political, cultural and economic cooperation in the 2000's and covering concrete projects, was signed. It won't be wrong to say Demirel's visit strengthened the Turkish opinion viewing France as a traditional friend and fostered warm feelings towards that country. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the French National Assembly's decision to pass a bill stating a genocide was perpetrated against the Armenians in 1915 be viewed as a hostile and treacherous stance by the Turkish people. In fact, the stance of the French National Assembly is more than hostile, it is an attempt to slander Turkish national honor. This law fanning feelings of grudge, hate and racial animosity, leaves France bearing a heavy responsibility. The bill, which will adversely affect Turco-Armenian relations, is the same as placing a bomb under the foundations of peace and stability in the Caucasus. On the other hand, French acceptance of the incidents in 1915 by a law, will give the erroneous impression that the murders of 40 Turkish citizens, including ambassadors and diplomats, by terrorists using the so-called genocide as a pretext, have been legalized. This situation may lead them to new actions of the same kind. Furthermore, France will be a tool in the hands of Armenia, who wants to use the genocide allegations as a means of international pressure and blackmail towards Turkey. This being the case, it is inevitable that French common interests with Turkey, who has great economic potential and a say in regional matters, will be damaged. In fact, the Turkish Government has prepared a package of sanctions including economic, political, military and cultural issues that are waiting upon the 14 day legal period during which President Jacques Chirac or Prime Minister Lionel Jospin can appeal to the Constitutional Court for cancellation of the bill. I believe that instead of waiting for this period to pass, Turkey should search for means to have the voice of reason be heard, and remind the French of their responsibilities. This may be in the form of a visit by former President Demirel, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, to Paris in order to ensure President Chirac or Prime Minister Jospin's action on the issue. If this yields no result, Turkey can implement sanctions."

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