LEADERS SUMMIT

Yesterday, the three government coalition partners held a one-hour meeting to discuss the local resource topic. Stressing they could find the resource in one or two days, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said he expected a positive movement in the markets after the holiday. /Turkiye/

TGNA'S HEAVY SCHEDULE

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) will continue to discuss bills and law proposals following the Sacrifice Feast holiday. The agenda includes 203 law proposals. Additionally, the National Program prepared to present the European Union, is expected to be declared March 14th. /Turkiye/

NEW PERIOD IN ECONOMY

The economic authorities formed a base for the new economic program during the Sacrifice Feast holiday. The main targets of the new program are state banks, internal debts and inflation. Accordingly, three state banks will be brought under the roof of Ziraat Bank and privatized in a year. The banks in the fund not to be sold are expected to be closed. In the new economic program the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board authority will be increased. The Board will have the right to stop a bank's activity or to ask for its bankruptcy. Enacting the law by the end of this month, to sell a %51-bloc of Turk Telecom was also included in the program. Meanwhile, appointments for the Treasury Undersecretary and the Chairman of the Banking Regulation and Supervison Board will be made this week. The collective bargaining between Turk-Is and the government related to 500 thousand workers in the public sector is also expected to start. /Turkiye/

DERVIS TAKES OATH

State Minister, Responsible for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, returned from the US. He had gone to complete his resignation procedures from the World Bank, and conduct his first contacts with American authorities. Mr. Dervis will take his oath in the TGNA tomorrow, then address the Parliament and provide explanations on the new economic program. /Turkiye/

ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT APPROVED BY EU COUNCIL

The European Union Council approved the Accession Partnership Document. The EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, said the approval was an important step and a signal to Turkey from the EU. Verheugen said the approval should be interpreted as a support for political and economic reforms in Turkey. The EU Commission also stated they expected the National Program to be endorsed by the Ankara government and sent to Brussels as soon as possible. The EU Council had approved the Framework Regulation Agreement that provides the legal base of the document at the end of last month. The approval was made public in the Official Gazette. /Turkish Daily News/

VIRTUE PARTY CRITISIZES NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM

Chairman of the Virtue Party (FP) Recai Kutan said the new economic program to be prepared by Minister of State responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis, would not be successful. Kutan stated the program would not receive mass support from the public. /Cumhuriyet/

BAYKAL: "DISINFLATION PROGRAM SHOULD CONTINUE"

The leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal announced the conclusions drawn from the party's meeting with economy experts. Baykal said the disinflation program should continue, otherwise hyperinflation and stagflation may arise. If the government aims to have a 40 % inflation target this year, and if this figure bears a deviation of 50 %, the actual inflation will be 60 %. Baykal claimed the results of the crisis should be announced to the public in an official report. People should know what kind of costs they will bear as the result of this crisis. Baykal said, "The government should prepare a new budget. The current budget has no meaning as it was prepared in line with a 30 % interest rate." /Hurriyet/

FOREIGN MINISTER CEM CRITISIZES NATO AND EU POLICIES OVER BALKANS

Speaking on a TV program, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem evaluated the recent developments in Turkish foreign policy. Cem mentioned five points during his speech: First, he critisized NATO and EU policies over the Balkans. He added, "The way the Western countries handle the Balkan issue is wrong. Countries which are not even in the Balkans, and know nothing about the Balkans are engaged in formulating Balkan policies. This is totally wrong." Second, Cem stated Turkey had no problems with Azerbaijan saying Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project was going well. He said, "Discussions over the price of the natural gas are continuing." The third issue Cem mentioned during his speech was the US policy over Cyprus. Stating he found the US policy over Cyprus inefficient, Cem said the US stance must be more objective. Fourth, referring to the genocide monument erected in Sevres, Cem said, "It is totally unjust and inconsiderate. Turkey's stance on the so-called Armenian genocide was correct." Cem stated Greece had no place in the political balances concerning the Caucasus. He said Greek, Armenian and Iranian authorities' meeting in Athens was not a significant incident. The last issue was Turco-EU relations. Cem stated relations were going well, adding that certain problems were inevitable as Turkey was a different country from the general European character. He added, "These differences make Turkey unique." /Cumhuriyet/

BAHCELI TO VISIT USA

Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli will visit the United States in response to invitations by various institutions. Last month Bahceli made his first foreign visit to Turkmenistan. /Sabah/

VIRTUE PARTY TO DEFEND ITSELF IN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

The Virtue Party leader Recai Kutan said they completed the defense preparations for the Constitutional Court hearing. The defense text will be submitted to the Court by four o'clock. /Star/

UNIVERSITIES PREPARE FOR EU

The Higher Education Board (YOK) is to hold a meeting March 15 to brief universities on two practices used within the EU to facilitate student transfer and the recognition of studies. The work on the "Diploma Supplement" and "European Credit Transfer System", which has been written into the National Program, was due to start in January this year but had to be postponed when the process of making appointments to YOK was prolonged. At the meeting YOK will brief all attending universities on the requirements. Both new practices are expected to go into effect this year. /Turkish Daily News/

AGREEMENT ON NATURAL GAS DELIVERY FROM AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan's President Haydar Aliyev and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will sign the agreement protocol for the sale of natural gas from Azerbaijan. According to the agreement, Turkey will receive gas beginning in 2004. The agreement will be valid for 15 years. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer said Azeri gas is the cheapest agreement signed so far. Azerbaijan will build the pipelines to the Turkish borders and Turkey will pay the cost of construction of the 250 km. portion reaching Khorasan. Ersumer said, "This part will be constructed parallel to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline." /Milliyet/

SYRIA-IRAN RAIL SERVICES RESUME VIA TURKEY

Syria is planning to expend its railway network to the rest of the world, Transportation Minister Makram Obeid said at the inauguration of the first direct train link between Syria and Iran via Turkey. The Minister said Syria planned to improve and expand its rail services, building on last year's reopening of links with neighboring Turkey, Iraq and Jordan. /Turkish Daily News/

STATE MINISTER GEMICI IN GERMANY

State Minister Hasan Gemici went to the German town of Herne to attend a meeting held by the Association for the Assistance of Disabled Turks. During his visit Gemici will also hold talks with the Association for European Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists. /Turkish Daily News/

HISTORICAL TURN FROM ATHENS

Athens stated she has given up her dream of a 'Greater Greece'. Greece, which has been dreaming of establishing sovereignity over the Balkans, took a step back for the first time. While discussing the crisis on the Macedonian border, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Papandroeu, said, "All sorts of 'Megalo Idea's in the Balkans should be given up and a different kind of relationship, which slowly decreases the importance of borders, should be established.' He added the Balkan crisis was brought to the NATO's Council of Ministers by Turkey and Greece cooperatively, and that Athens was in complete harmony and cooperation with Ankara. Meanwhile, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem pointed out the groups established to find solutions for the problems in the Balkans, consisted of countries lacking special information and sensitivity, and that countries such as Turkey and Greece should take their place in the solution mechanism. /Aksam/

SWISS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO DEBATE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL TOMORROW

The Swiss National Assembly will debate two separate so-called Armenian genocide bills tomorrow. The bills prepared separately by a socialist deputy, of Greek origin, Josef Ziyadis, and the Anti-Genocide Association from Germany, will be debated tomorrow in the ongoing parliamentary sessions in Lugano. Turkey's Bern Embassy conveyed its views and expects the bills not to be approved. Meanwhile, the Swiss Government kept out of the debate as Switzerland is determined to continue her economic cooperation with Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH HISTORIANS TO DISCUSS HISTORY

The Turkish academicians increased their activities to disprove the so-called Armenian genocide claims. For this purpose, Turkish and Armenian historians will attend a conference in Germany 23-25 March, on the so-called genocide. A similar conference will be organized in Istanbul and will be attended by 60 academicians from various countries including Turkish and Armenian historians. During the conference, the so-called Armenian genocide claims will be discussed. Thus, the Armenians, who have continuously brought the genocide claims to political agendas and have had them accepted in the assemblies of the countries, will discuss the history with Turkish historians for the first time. The conference entitled 'The Heavy Burden of History' will be organized by Muelheim/Ruhr Protestant Academy, German-Armenian Community and the Turco-German Association of Social Sciences and Humanity. /Aksam/

MHP'S ECONOMY TEAM

Following the economic crisis in Turkey, Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli began to follow the economy closely and wanted economic indicators delivered to him minute by minute. Bahceli also wanted his aides, particularly Deputy Group Chairman of MHP, Oktay Vural and the Group Chairman of Research and Development (AR-GE), Prof. Emin Carikci, to follow the economic developments closely. Thus, a group was formed and this group began to follow the stock exchange, banks, Treasury, Central Bank and the interest rates closely and present daily reports to Bahceli. Economic aides of the MHP also follow the imports and exports closely. /Aksam/

LAND TRANSPORTATION IN TURKEY DEVELOPS

According to an investigation by the International Association of Transportation, the flow of foreign currency into Turkey, which was 1 billion 360 million US dollars in 1999, increased to 1 billion 468 million US dollars last year due to the transit transportation between Turkey and Europe, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, CIS and the petroleum exports to Iraq. The lion's share of the foreign currency is brought in by the transportation business with Europe. /Aksam/

SECOND FOREIGN TRADE VISIT TO IRAQ

The Second foreign trade visit to Iraq coordinated by the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade begins today. A number of businessmen from various sectors are attending the visit headed by Undersecretary of the Foreign Trade, Kursad Tuzmen. The visit aims at improving the trade potential with neighbouring countries. /Turkiye/

TERRORIST ATTACK TO GENDARMERIE STATION IN TUNCELI

Terrorists attacked the Gendarmerie Station in Gokcek Village, Tunceli the day before yesterday. It was stated that a group separated from the PKK terrorist organization carried out the attack which wounded a gendarme officer. Widespread investigations have begun over the incident. /Cumhuriyet/

STANDARDS TO PROFESSIONS

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security prepared a bill to standardize professions. The bill envisages preparing standards for about 250 professions and the formation of an "Institution for National Professions' Standards" as well as working requirements for each profession. /Turkiye/

JEWELRY DEVELOPS IN TURKEY

The thousands year old Anatolian jewelry heritage now reaches people on six continents, bringing hundreds of thousands of US dollars to Turkey. Sermin Cipa and Ida Gurel, the owners of Rotaforte Promotion Company, who contribute to the development of jewelry sector, said, "Turkey could compete with Italy, the world leader in jewelry, and she produces goods at a lower price than Italy. /Aksam/

'ISTANBUL 2001 16TH INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY AND WATCH FAIR' TO BE HELD

'Istanbul 2001 16th International Jewelry and Watch Fair', will be held at the World Trade Center March 15-18 on an area of 20,000 square meters. 490 companies will be attending, 52 of which are from 18 foreign countries. Gold, platinum and silver jewelry, gold jewelry with syntethic stones, pearl and ruby will be exhibited at the fair. In addition, watch and silver pavilions will be present at the fair. /Aksam/

SHIP TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION SYSTEM IN BOSPHORUS

Minister of State Ramazan Mirzaoglu said the Ship Traffic Management and Information System should begin running by October or December of this year. Mirzaoglu stated the project was a significant step toward maintaining security in the Bosphorus. He added, "The project will also contribute to the protection of our historical and cultural heritage as well as environment." The project bid was completed and construction on the infrastructure began last month. Electronic and technological parts of the system were produced by the American firm Lockheed Martin Overseas. Mirzaoglu stated phases of the project were being closely followed. /Cumhuriyet/

TOURIST RUSH TO DIYARBAKIR

The number of tourists visiting Diyarbakir increased by 100 % after peace and stability were regained in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. The number for the last 10 years was 1,39858. Authorities from the Provincial Tourism Directorate said, "People living in developed countries prefer faith and culture tourism instead of sea and sun. Therefore, soon after security was restored to the region, they rushed to Diyarbakir." /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH CORRESPONDENT IN ACANU'S GENERAL COUNCIL

A Turkish correspondent in Geneva, Emine Karakitapoglu, has been selected to the United Nations Correspondents Association's (ACANU) General Council. ACANU is an association working to protect the rights of the reporters. It organizes meetings and activities in which UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and chairmen of other UN organs participate and contributes to NGOs suffering from difficulties to voice their concerns. /Cumhuriyet/

CULTURE MINISTER AWARDS PROFESSOR

The Ministry of Culture has invited Prof. Andreas Tietze from Vienna University to receive an award for his contributions to the research and the promotion of Turkish traditional culture. Prof. Tietze and Prof. Ilhan Basgoz worked together on a study of Turkish Folklore. /Turkish Daily News/

TREASURY'S REPAYMENTS

The Treasury will face two big tests this week and on March 21. As it changed February domestic debts program due to the recent crisis, Treasury's debt repayment program during March also changed. Treasury will also repay $ 351.2 million foreign debt this week. /Cumhuriyet/

OGER TOUR TO ESTABLISH AIRLINE COMPANY

Oger Tour will establish an airline company. The company will begin functioning June 1. Oger Holding Chief Advisor, Huseyin Baraner said this year they place great importance on tourism in Turkey and they are planning to bring around 600,000 Turks living abroad and a million foreign tourists to Turkey. /Hurriyet/

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