YILMAZ SIGNALS EREZ TO RETURN THE MANDATE

Stating that the Mugla Independent Deputy and Industry and Trade Minister Yalim Erez, appointed by President Suleyman Demirel to form the government, is unlikely to be successful, Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz signalled that Erez should return the mandate. Erez had experienced difficulties during the past week due to the 'bargaining' attitude of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Yilmaz said during the ANAP group meeting in Parliament. "Now Erez has a duty as all political parties do. The immediate establishment of the government is a necessity; Erez must speed up the meeting process. Erez must assess whether or not he is going to succeed in forming the government and make a decision as soon as possible" Yilmaz said. Yilmaz said that President Suleyman Demirel had told him on Monday that it is out of the question for Demirel to take the initiative. Demirel told Yilmaz that if Erez fails to form the government and returns the mandate, he will reconsider the formula of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) minority coalition government. Yalim Erez said yesterday that he is not considering returning the mandate to Demirel. "I am not thinking of returning the mandate because my name was given to Demirel by Ecevit and Yilmaz to form the new government", Erez said, responding to journalists' questions at the Ministry. /All papers/

KUTAN: "HE HAS TO RETURN THE MANDATE"

The Chairman of the Virtue Party (FP) Recai Kutan, stated that the Motherland Party (ANAP), the True Path Party (DYP) and the Democratic Left Party (DSP) have agreed on a new model for forming the goverment. He said: "It seems very hard for Erez to form a government. At this stage the best thing for him to do is to ask the President to relieve him of his duty." In answer to a question asking whether the government should be formed by Ecevit, he said: "I am not saying it should be but the facts speak for themselves. Three parties are saying that they would give their support to a government formed under the leadership of Ecevit. At this stage there is no need for the views of other parties." Kutan who spoke at the group meeting of his party, blamed DYP leader Tansu Ciller, accusing her of playing Byzantine games. /Milliyet/

CINDORUK: "POLITICAL RUDENESS"

The Chairman of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), Husamettin Cindoruk, criticized DSP Leader Bulent Ecevit for working to form a government in line with the suggestions of DYP leader Tansu Ciller. Cindoruk said: "He did not behave courteously as befitting a statesman. The forming of a government has been turned into a farce". Stating that Ciller began to act when she understood that the Independent Mugla Deputy Yalim Erez, was going to form a government, Cindoruk said: "We still support Erez and see no reason to withdraw our support from him." He assessed Ecevit's efforts to form a government while Erez continued his work as political discourtesy to Erez. /Milliyet/

ATES STRESSES 'NEED FOR STABILITY'

Land Forces Commander Gen.Atilla Ates yesterday followed up on recent statements from the General Staff by saying: "Turkey needs domestic stability more than ever". Gen.Ates was in Kayseri for an award ceremony commemorating the members of the 1st Commando Brigade, who had taken part in operations in the Southeast against the PKK terrorist organization. In his speech, Gen.Ates accused some Western countries of disguising themselves under the guise of friendly and civilized nations and also accused some neighbouring countries of adopting the policy of antagonizing Turkey. He said that those countries had turned a blind eye to terrorism and had violated international laws. Some of them, he added, even supported terrorism against Turkey and tried to disturb the unity and territorial integrity of the country. Following his speech, Gen.Ates handed out awards to 20 officers and 23 commando recruits for their successful service in the Army. /All papers/

S-300 MISSILE CRISIS IN ATHENS

The crisis regarding the Russian-made S-300 missiles is increasing. The Head of the Greek Social Democracy Movement, Dimitris Covolas, claimed that S-300 missiles would not be deployed either on Cyprus or on Crete. Covolas said: "Funny incidents are happening; these are the justification for political shortcomings". Covolas noted that the cancellation of the deployment of the S-300 missiles on Southern Cyprus gave the impression that Southern Cyprus and Greece are 'the satellites of Ankara'. He also said that the right of veto had been given to Turkey regarding the defence of Cyprus and Greece. Covolas harshly criticized the Kostas Simitis government over its policy regarding the missile crisis. /Cumhuriyet/

TL 23.7 TRILLION IN INCOME FROM BRIDGES

More than TL 23.7 trillion in income was received in tolls from the Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Bosphorus Bridges last year. According to information furnished by officials from the General Directorate of Bridges, the number of vehicles which passed over the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in 1998 increased by 6,265,286 when compared to the previous year and reached 56,866,214. The total income was TL 12.5 trillion. On the other hand, the number of vehicles which passed over the Bosphorus Bridge in 1998 decreased by 1,825,466 and amounted to 64,969,262. A total of TL 11.2 trillion in income was received in tolls from the Bosphorus Bridge last year. /Cumhuriyet/

TL 3 TRILLION WORTH OF HEROIN

During two operations carried out by members of the Istanbul Narcotic Department in the Kucukcekmece and Kadikoy districts, 318.3 kilos of heroin, worth TL 3 trillion, have been seized. Istanbul Security Chief Hasan Ozdemir said that during the operations, 13 people, who were trying to transport the heroin from Iran to Spain via Turkey were taken into custody. /Cumhuriyet/

IMMIGRATION OPERATION

Forty people who entered Turkey with fake passports, intending to then enter Italy have been captured in Istanbul. It is reported that these people, who entered Turkey from Iran, were planning to go to Italy. /Cumhuriyet/

AVALANCHE IN K.MARAS

An avalanche occurred near the Ambarali Village in the Ekinozu District of Kahramanmaras, overwhelming some hunters. While one person died during the avalanche, five people are still missing. Three people were rescued from the avalanche. /Cumhuriyet/

TASDELEN TO RUN FOR ANKARA MAYOR WITH DSP

The Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader, Bulent Ecevit, has announced that the Mayor of Cankaya, Dogan Tasdelen, would be the DSP candidate to run for Mayor of the Greater Ankara Municipality. He resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP) after serving with them for 10 years. "I already see him being successful in winning the elections and I believe Dogan Tasdelen will perform his duty very well" Ecevit said in a statement during his visit to Tasdelen's office, the Anatolia news agency reports.

DEFENCE SPENDING TO FACE CUTS

A cut in fuel taxes by the Turkish government will cause a $300 million cut in the budget earmarked for defence expenditure for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the US magazine Defense News said. According to the magazine, the government decision might have a negative effect on the TSK's comprehensive defence and modernization projects, such as the acquisition of new helicopters and tanks. Quoting a Turkish Defence Industry official, Defense News said that the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries has so far lost out on $50 million due to the cut, adding that 20 % of the Defence Industry Support Fund comes from gasoline consumption taxes. The fund was supposed to contribute $1.4 billion this year, of $3.4 billion total, to defence spending but, because of the tax cut, it will only be able to provide $1.1 billion, the magazine stressed. /Cumhuriyet/

ANKARA CRITICIZES GREECE'S MANAGEMENT OF FIR

Ankara yesterday criticized Greece's management of their Flight Information Region (FIR) saying that it has not been fulfilling its responsibilities. "Greece manages 7 % of all air traffic in Europe, but it is responsible for 30 % of all delays" a Foreign Ministry statement said yesterday. The statement underlined that Greece has been resisting changes in the way it operates its air traffic radar system, despite pressure from the international aviation community. All Turkish civilian aviation units, equipped with advanced technology, have the ability to provide air traffic services; this is in line with overall standards in the airspace covering the whole of the Aegean Sea, the statement stressed. The statement said that Greece was trying to create the misleading impression that the FIR line is a measure of its own sovereign territory. /All papers/

BUS CRASH KILLS 14 IN BURSA

Fourteen people were killed and 15 injured in Mustafakemalpasa, a town near Bursa, when a bus collided with a lorry. According to reports, the bus was transporting workers to a factory in the nearby town. Careless overtaking was cited as the reason for the crash. Eight of the 15 people injured are in a criticial condition. Bursa's Chief of Security, Kemal Bayrak, said that 11 of the 14 people who died in the crash were women. Another incident occurred in Denizli when two lorries crashed, killing two people and injuring four. /Cumhuriyet/

ECO-TOURISM AND ECO-AGRICULTURE ON 1999 GREENS AGENDA

The Turkish Greens are organizing a campaign to encourage the spread of eco-tourism and eco-agriculture in 1999. According to information received from the closed political party's former chairman, Bilge Contepe, the Greens will focus on tourism-related activities that pollute land and sea resources. The Greens will also begin a campaign to include eco-tourism courses in Turkey's tourism and vocational High Schools and Tourism and Hotel Management two-year university programmes. The Greens will also try to bring the issues of eco-villages and eco-agriculture onto the country's agenda. Turkish consumers will be encouraged to purchase products produced through ecological methods. /Cumhuriyet/

BMC TO SELL 600 TRUCKS TO ENGLAND

BMC Industry and Trade aims to export 400-600 trucks to England. A member of the BMC company, Mehmet Demirpence, stated that their target for this year was $30 million. The Aegean Region Chamber of Industry gave an award to BMC which sold PRO 622 model 62 trucks, produced with 100% Turkish technology, to England in cooperation with the ERF truck manufacturer in England. /Milliyet/

TURKS ARE READY FOR GERMAN CITIZENSHIP

Nearly one and a half million Turks are preparing to obtain German citizenship. The Director of the Turkish Research Centre (TAM), Prof. Faruk Sen, stated that Turks in Europe whose rights to vote and be elected have been forgotten once more, are greatly disappointed and there was an increasing tendency among them to resort to legal paths. Sen said: "It is apparent that Turks in Europe will not be able to exercise their right to vote in the elections to be held in April despite claims by all parties to work for these rights." Sen added that Turks in Europe had become not only an economic power but also a political power. He noted that German politicians had become aware of the fact before their Turkish colleagues. /Milliyet/

TURKISH KOMBASSAN TO BUY COMPANY IN US

The Turkish Kombassan Corporation is going to buy the US "Hit or Miss", ready-to-wear company. Representatives of Kombassan will go to New York on 29th January to sign an agreement with the American firm. The chairman of the Kombassan Corporation, Hasim Bayram, said that in buying "Hit or Miss" they would have the chance to enter into the US market. /Aksam/

D'ALEMA WANTS OCALAN TO LEAVE ITALY

Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema said that if Abdullah Ocalan did not leave Italy within 20 days, he would be sentenced to life imprisonment. D'Alema added that Ocalan would leave Italy even without a passport. He noted: "We understand that Ocalan cannot control the PKK anymore. His men continue their terrorist activities although Ocalan promised me that they would not carry out any such activities in Italy." Pointing out that the Italian Ministries of Justice and Interior Affairs should resolve Turkey's extradition application within 20 days, D'Alema added that if they decided not to extradite Ocalan to Turkey then they should try Ocalan in line with Article 14 of the Geneva Convention because of the crimes that he had committed in Turkey. He stressed that if Ocalan did not want to leave Italy, he would run a high risk of being sentenced to life imprisonment. /Hurriyet/

US AMBASSADOR AGAINST OCALAN INTERVIEW ON VOA

Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey, denounced the broadcast of an interview with Ocalan on the Voice of America (VOA). Parris sent a telegraph to M.Albright and other US officials in order to prevent the broadcast of the interview, emphasizing that this would counteract US foreign policy targets. Parris said: "Assigning a platform to a terrorist by means of a broadcast against Turkey, the VOA will prove that America cannot distinguish between a terrorist leader and a legal human rights activist. Who will be the next `political leader' interviewed on the VOA? Ebu Nidal or Bin Ladin? Will the VOA choose its guests from the Foreign Ministry list of terrorists from now on?" /Sabah/

NOTE TO SWITZERLAND CONCERNING MED-TV

Turkey reacted strongly against the MED-TV broadcasts in the Basel region of Switzerland. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to Switzerland yesterday. The Swiss Ambassador to Ankara was yesterday summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to stop the MED-TV broadcasts immediately and restart TRT-INT broadcasts. /Hurriyet/

ISTANBUL-ATLANTA BY DELTA AIRLINES

One of the airlines carrying the most passengers in the world, American Delta Airlines will begin Istanbul-Atlanta flights three times a week in addition to its daily Istanbul-New York flights. The new schedule will start in June. Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday there will be flights from Istanbul to Atlanta and every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday there will be flights from Atlanta to Istanbul. /Hurriyet/

'TURKEY SHOULD NOT LOSE TIME OVER THE EURO'

The Minister of State, Isin Celebi, said that Turkey should not lose sight of her basic targets during daily political developments. He stressed that Turkey sent half of her total exports to European Union (EU) countries and that she should not lose time meeting the requirements of the Euro. Celebi noted that he was very optimistic about the future of the Turkish economy, which had proved itself during three economic crisis: the Russian crisis, the global crisis and the recent political instability in Turkey. He pointed out that, after many years, it is the first time that inflation has decreased so quickly; the balance of current activities was positive and the rate of export against import had increased. Within all these positive developments, the new government should take the necessary measures immediately to meet the requirements of the Euro. /Hurriyet/

PROF. BORATAV: "EURO WILL BE GOOD FOR TURKEY"

Noting that Turkey will achieve a great deal of its exports in Euros and, in turn, pay most of its foreign debts in dollars, Prof. Korkut Boratav, an eminent Turkish political economist, maintained that the Euro's valuation over the US dollar will give a comparative advantage to Turkey. Boratav said that the transition to the Euro will not have a structural impact on the Turkish economy, yet it may create a marginally positive effect due to the removal of the disadvantages originating from differences in the exchange rate. /Sabah/

TURKISH SOLDIERS IN BOSNIA

A Turkish brigade posted in Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, had extended food aid to 2300 refugees, most of whom are children and elderly people. The food aid, which was organized by the office of the Turkish Chief of General Staff and taken to Bosnia by Kizilay (Red Crescent), will meet their needs for six months. Turkish soldiers have been in Bosnia-Herzegovina, contributing to the establishment of peace in the region, since 1994. /Hurriyet/

COUNCIL OF STATE REJECTS ERDOGAN'S APPLICATION

The Council of State rejected yesterday the application of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Istanbul Mayor, for amending the decision of the former court which foresaw the deprival of Erdogan of his post as Istanbul Mayor. Thus, the legal process of the deprival of Erdogan's post as Istanbul Mayor is completed, the Anatolia news agency reports.

EXPORTS INCREASE BY 2.2%

Turkey's exports in 1998 increased by 2.2% compared to 1997 and reached $28.1 billion. According to the registers of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, the most successful sectors of 1998 were the electronics/machine industry and the automobile sector, with export increases of 17.4% and 13.8%, respectively. /Sabah/

DPT WARNS AGAINST THE 2000 PROBLEM

The State Planning Organization (DPT) warned all public corporations to take the measures necessary as part of the national action plan against "the millennium bug". All public institutions and corporations will attend the national project which is planned to continue for 12 months. /Turkiye/

RAPID SALE IN TEDAS

Efforts are on-going to the release the operational rights of the 25 distribution establishments owned by the Turkish Electric Distribution Corp. (TEDAS), the public monopoly over electric distribution. Since 1997, the privatization of 10 facilities has been approved by the Council of State, which added up to a total price of $660 million. It is reported that the privatization of five other facilities, a total sales price of $930 million, awaits approval. /Turkiye/

"THE FATE OF CAUCASIA DEPENDS ON THE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT"

In an article published in the Washinton Post, it was argued that the independence and security of the oil-producing countries of Caucasia and Central Asia heavily depends on the construction of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. It was stated that these countries interact with the Western world solely through Russia; the Baku-Supsa pipeline, which is currently the only route for oil transportation, makes them dependent upon this country in terms of energy sources. The article argued that, since 1995, the Clinton administration has launched initiatives to transport Caucasian and Central Asian oil to the world markets via more than one route and this would ensure a remarkable independence for countries like Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. /Turkiye/

CHRISTIANS TO KONYA

It is expected that there will be a great influx of foreign tourists to Gokyurt Gilistra Church near Konya in the year 2000. The Director of the Konya Tourism Office, Ibrahim Tekbas, said: "Christians will celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus in Gilistra, the first place where St.Paul, one of the Apostles of Jesus, preached". /Cumhuriyet/

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

"HOW DEMOCRACY KILLS DEMOCRACY" -BY MUMTAZ SOYSAL (HURRIYET)

"SOCIAL CAPITAL AND TURKEY" -BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)

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