NSC MEETING

The National Security Council (NSC) will convene today. The meeting will be headed by President Suleyman Demirel. During the meeting, the use of Turkish air bases in NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia and the trial of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, will be the main topics for discussion. /Turkiye/

NEW CABINET ALMOST READY

The Cabinet of the tripartite coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Bulent Ecevit is almost ready, and an annoucement is expected today after a summit meeting of the leaders of the three coalition parties, Democratic Left Party (DSP) sources said. According to sources, two commissions created after the first tripartite summit meeting between Ecevit, Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz largely completed their week-long work on the Cabinet list and the coalition protocol on Thursday. The outstanding issues that remain to be resolved are expected to be tackled today at a proposed meeting of the three party leaders. /All papers/

MUDANYA IS READY FOR OCALAN TRIAL

Nowadays, the little village of Bursa is very active. The recent preparations at the press centre which has been set up for foreign members of the press have almost been completed. Concerning the report of the European Council's Members of Parliament Commission stressing that Turkey's European Union (EU) membership will be discussed if Ocalan is sentenced to death, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that the report was not binding. Adding that it was a mistake to predict the outcome of a trial which has not started yet, Ministry officials said, "Turkey is an independent country and her judiciary is independent. It is out of the question to accept any foreign pressure." Meanwhile, the Turkish Ministry of Justice has prepared a draft bill which foresees an amendment to the structure of the State Security Courts. According to the Bill, military judges and prosecutors will be excluded from the structure of the State Security Courts. In a further development, Ocalan's lawyers have visited their client for the last time before the trial. One of Abdullah Ocalan's lawyers, Eren Keskin, Chairman of the Istanbul Department of the Human Rights Association, was sentenced to one year's imprisonment accused of separatism. Keskin has postponed his imprisonment for four months in order to attend the trial which will start on 31 May. /Aksam/

FIRST STEP FOR DGMs

The Justice Ministry has prepared a draft amendment of the Constitution with regard to the structure of the State Security Courts (DGMs). The draft foresees that military judges and prosecutors will be excluded from the DGMs. Some changes have been made to the draft drawn up during the period in office of former Justice Minister Hasan Denizkurdu. /Turkiye/

MP's INTEREST IN OCALAN'S TRIAL

Applying to the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, Ertugrul Yalcinbayir, a Motherland Party (ANAP) MP, declared that he wants to attend the trial of the chief of the terrorist PKK, Abdullah Ocalan. Yalcinbayir also demanded that other parties represented in Parliament attend the trial as well. /Milliyet/

GENERAL STAFF IN HARMONY WITH FOREIGN MINISTRY

The Turkish General Staff yesterday denied recent allegations asserting that there are disputes between itself and the Forerign Ministry. "The Turkish General Staff, which is responsible for domestic and foreign security affairs, and the Foreign Ministry, which is responsible for foreign policy, are two institutions that are in harmony and in cooperation", said a General Staff press release.

TURKEY IN MIDDLE OF US-IRAQI RELATIONS

Frank Ricciardone, the US coordinator for Northern Iraq, has said his country is not taking any steps concerning the future of Iraq without considering Turkey's advice, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Ricciardone said that there are on-going discussions between US and Turkish officials in order to coordinate Iraqi opposition activities.

COUNCIL OF STATE APPROVES HEADSCARF BAN

Upon leaving a meeting with Yildirim Akbulut, the newly-assigned Speaker of Parliament, Council of State Chairman Erol Cirakman stated that according to a decision made by the Council civil servants who wear headscarves in the workplace can be dismissed. Cirakman stressed that the decision is also applicable to university students. /All papers/

TURKEY PRESENTS ITS OFFER FOR BAKU-CEYHAN

Turkey presented its offer to Azerbaijan yesterday for the construction of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline on the basis of the Lump-Sum Cost Fixed Price Turnkey Contract, the Anatolia News Agency reports. In the statement made by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, it was said: "We expect the Azerbaijan Working Group and Azerbaijan to examine our offer meticulously". The statement said that efforts to build the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline are underway between Turkish and Azerbaijani delegations in a spirit of mutual cooperation and understanding.

DEMIREL: "WE ARE THE ENERGY TERMINAL OF THE FUTURE"

Delivering a speech during a conference entitled "Estimations for Clean Fossile Fuel Systems under Feasible Development: The Strategic Value of Fossile Fuels in the Eurasian Region", President Suleyman Demirel urged liberalization, deregulation and restructuring in the energy sector. Remarking that the largest obstacle facing energy investments in Turkey is the question of `international arbitration", he said that this question would be resolved through a Constitutional amendment at the earliest convenience. Demirel also emphasized that Turkey, at the heart Eurasia which holds most of the oil and natural gas in the world, would be the `energy terminal' of the next century. The President highlighted the fact that the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline is the only project that would ensure both security and continuity for the conveyance of the Hazar Basin energy resources to world markets. Noting that the efforts for the Turkmenistan Natural Gas Pipeline Project have also reached an important stage, Demirel said, "These energy transport projects will play an important role in the preservation of the geopolitical plurality engendered in Eurasia following the end of the Cold War." /Cumhuriyet/

DEMIREL WANTS SOLUTIONS

President Suleyman Demirel wants businessmen to propose concrete solutions rather than abstract ideas for the government to consider, adding that these proposals should be reasonable. Demirel received a delegation from the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) headed by TOBB Chairman Fuat Miras yesterday. /All papers/

FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

Concerning recent developments in the Aegean, the Undersecretary of the Greek Embassy to Ankara was summoned to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to hear of Turkey's uneasiness. Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sermet Atacanli said yesterday that such provocations would not bear any legal results. He added that Turkey wanted Greece to abandon its provocative actions which would only increase Turco-Greek tension. /Aksam/

GREEK FLAG TO BE HOISTED ON ANGATHONISI

It is reported that an association called 'Iason' which is active in Greece will hoist a 40 metre-square Greek flag on the Angathonisi islets to the south of Samos Island. According to the 'Ethnos' newspaper published in Athens, officials from the association had received permission from the Greek Defence and Maritime Trade Ministries for their action. The newspaper remarked that the spokesman of the association described this as a `social activity'. /Turkiye/

SOME MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD AGAIN ON JUNE 6

Because of procedural errors during the April 18 elections in 12 polling areas, residents will have the opportunity to cast their votes anew on June 6, the Anatolia News Agency reports. According to the Supreme Election Board (YSK), municipal elections in one province, three districts and eight towns will be held again. /All papers/

MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE IN GERMANY

Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of National Defence, went to Germany yesterday in order to attend the unofficial meeting of the Defence Ministers of the West European Union (WEU), reports the Anatolian News Agency. Addressing a statement at the Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Turk said that they will evaluate the latest developments concerning the Kosovo crisis as well as the recent attempts to restructure the European security and defence policy.

DGM FILES ANOTHER SUIT AGAINST GUZEL

The Ankara State Security Court (DGM) has filed a suit against former New Birth Party (YDP) Chairman Hasan Celal Guzel, demanding a three-year prison sentence for the speech he delivered on June 22, 1998, at a conference organized by the Ensar Foundation in Afyon. Guzel is alleged to have incited the public to hatred and animosity on the basis of religious discrimination. /All papers/

OTTOMAN FORMULA FOR JERUSALEM

It is reported that an agreement, which is currently being kept confidential, has been reached by the new Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Head of State Yasser Arafat concerning the status of Jerusalem. According to an article published in the 'USA Today' newspaper, Jerusalem will be governed by Israel while Israel will not oppose the proclamation of an independent Palestinian state. It is claimed that a capital, the borders of which were defined during the Ottoman period, will be granted in Jerusalem to Palestine. Thus, Israeli officials approve the borders of Jerusalem outlined by the Ottoman Empire from 1516 to 1917. If the agreement is ratified by the legislative bodies of both sides, then the greatest obstacle in front of a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine will have been lifted. /Turkiye/

10 TERRORISTS KILLED

During security operations carried out in the southeastern region of Turkey, 10 members of the PKK terrorist organization were killed. According to information provided by the Emergency Rule Region (OHAL) Governor's office, one security member died during the anti-terrorism operations. In addition, five terrorists in Sirnak and Mardin were captured, while two in Sirnak surrendered. Security operations are still underway in the region. /All papers/

AZERBAIJANI NATIONAL DAY

The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ankara, Mehmet Nevruzoglu, hosted a reception yesterday on the occasion of Azerbaijan's National Day. Many high-level officials, representatives of political parties and foreign representatives in Ankara attended the reception. The attendance of Turkish Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut, Chief of General Staff Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, forces' commanders and many bureaucrats at the reception has been viewed as 'an indication of the importance Turkey attaches to Azerbaijan'. /Turkiye/

FOREIGN DEBTS

Turkey paid off $567.3 million in foreign debts in the first 26 days of May. Meanwhile, foreign debts paid off since the beginning of this year amounted to $3.372 billion. Out of this total, $2.603 billion came from the Treasury. Furthermore, Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $249 million between May 14-21. According to Central Bank data, foreign exchanges, which stood at $22.317 billion on May 14, rose to $22.566 billion on May 21. International reserves which were $33.402 billion on April 30 reached $33.867 billion on May 7. /Turkiye-Aksam/

TUSIAD DELEGATION RETURNS TO TURKEY

A delegation headed by Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Erkut Yucaoglu has completed its round of meetings in Bonn, Germany. The TUSIAD delegation met the Federal Economy Minister, Werner Muller, yesterday. Later, the delegation was received by the General Director of the Prime Ministry's Economy and Financial Relations Department, Prof.Klaus Gretschmann, and German Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Wolfgang Ischinger. Yucaoglu said in a statement that the meetings had been very beneficial and added: "We are of the opinion that steps forward in the development of Turco-EU relations have been taken". /Turkiye/

AMERICAN FIRMS TO BE PRESENTED TO TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

Philip Byrd, Director of the International Exporters' Federation, Department reponsible for Turkey will organize a conference to inform Turkish companies of the opportunities available to them in business in the US market. At the end of the conference, a CD player, including addresses and telephone numbers of 28,000 American and Canadian firms in 350 different sectors, will be given to the members of the audience. Byrd said that he will inform the audience of the direct marketing approach to consumers, ways of presenting and organizing fairs and exhibitions and how to get in close contact with US investors. The conference will be held on 10 June in Istanbul. /Aksam/

500 NEW FACTORIES IN ANKARA

After the 2nd Organized Site (2nd OSB) region is constructed in Ankara, the city will become the "centre of industry". 500 new factories will be set up in the region ensuring jobs for to 50,000 people. Officials announced that the 2nd ODB project has been prepared and its foundations will be laid very soon. They added, "There will a refinery in line with international standards, social facilities, exhibition halls, sports facilities, medical centres and cultural and training centres in the region standing on 1,100 hectares." It is expected that production and exports will increase in Ankara. /Sabah/

NATIONAL PROMOTION COUNCIL

The Head of the Tourism Investors' Association (TYD), Barlas Kuntay, has proposed that a National Promotion Council and Promotion Fund should be formed to overcome the crisis in the tourism sector. Kuntay remarked that tourism contributed to 37 other sectors and said: "The most successful sector over the last 15 years from the standpoint of development has been tourism. Problems have been experienced in the first half of 1999. If measures are not taken, the crisis will also affect the future of the sector". /Hurriyet/

GERMAN SUPPORT FOR TURKISH TEXTILES

Confidence in the Turkish textile sector has been received from the German Karstadt and Otto companies: "We trust in the Turkish market and we will stay here". Representatives of the two companies stated during a meeting organized by the Turkish Clothing Industrialists' Association (TGSD) that they would continue to purchase Turkish products. /Hurriyet/

TURCO-CUBAN RELATIONS

The Cuban Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Alejandro Gonzales, and the Director of the International Press Centre, Rienaldo Calviac, arrived in Turkey to improve relations between Turkey and Cuba. Cuba is planning to establish a Joint Economic Commission with Turkey. Cuban officials remarked that the Commission would be active in June and they aimed to develop cooperation with Turkey especially in the areas of economy and tourism. The Cuban Ambassador to Ankara, Jorge Castro Betinez, hosted a reception yesterday. In addition to the Ambassadors of Brazil, Portugal and Argentina, officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry and journalists attended the reception. /Turkiye/

AYSEGUL SUNGUR: A SUCCESS STORY IN SWEDEN

A Turkish woman is among the 15 consultants of Swedish Prime Minister Gorean Persson: Aysegul Sungur (26), the daughter of a Turkish family who emigrated to Sweden as workers in 1966. Graduating from the Department of Political Science and International Relations of Stockholm University, Sungur obtained her masters degree in Political Science in France. After working for a number of companies in Sweden, Aysegul Sungur started to write columns for the social democratic `Stockholm Newspaper'. She succeed in gaining a place on the Milennie Committee which provides various credits to development projects in Sweden. Then, PM Persson appointed her one of his political advisors. Alongside preparing projects for the development of Sweden, Aysel Sungur is now aiding direction of the policies of the Swedish PM. /Milliyet/

MORE TOURISTS FROM UKRAINE

Turkey aims to attract more tourists from the Ukraine. Representatives of the Ukranian Trade Chamber met the Turkish Chairman of the Business Council, Tugrul Erkin, in Donetsk and outlined to him the present problems of tourism between the two countries. To remedy this, the Chairman of the Tourism Investors' Union (TYD), Barlas Kuntay, said that the new government ought to give priority to tourism in its government programme. He added that problems in the sector could be solved by political determination. /Sabah/

KACKAR MOUNTAINS ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF TOURISTS

There has been an increase the number of tourists who arrive in the Kackar Mountains on walking holidays. Ozkan Sahin, a member of the Kackar Nature and Sports Centre, said that the region was ideal both hiking and walking. He added, "Not only domestic tourists but also foreign tourists from France, Germany, Russia, Britain and Italy come here to hike and enjoy the scenery. Foreign tourists like to visit the historic churches in the Altiparmak, Ishan and Tekkale regions." Recalling that 10,000 visitors had come to the region last year, Ozkan stated that they expected more than 20,000 tourists this year. He noted that tourists could stay either in tents or guesthouses in the villages. /Sabah/

13 WARRIOR FIGURINES ARE FOUND IN HAKKARI

There has been a suprising suprising development in archeology, reported the Anatolian News Agency. While a citizen was digging soil near the base of Hakkari Castle, he found some figures. The thirteen figurines 13 stels of armed women and men are different from those which have been found up to now. Prof. Veli Sevin from Istanbul University said that it was predicted that the figures dated from 1000 B.C. and they were carved in an unknown style. He added that the newly-found figurines were very important for the history of archeology. He explained that the figurines had been preserved in a Medrese, a Muslim theological school, in Hakkari and they would open the Medrese as a museum in which to exhibit these figurines.

INTERNATIONAL LEXICOLOGY SYMPOSIUM

An International Lexicology Symposium was held in Famagusta in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). During the symposium attended by scientists from Sweden, Norway, Germany, Holland, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the TRNC, Turkish universities and from the Turkish Language Institution, principles concerning the preparation of a dictionary, Turkish words and terms and a unity in terms were discussed for two days. /Turkiye/

CONQUEST OF ISTANBUL IS CELEBRATED

The 546th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul will be celebrated with various events starting today. Beyoglu Mayor Kadir Topbas said that the celebrations would have an extra dimension because this year is also the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. /Hurriyet/

PARTRIACHS MEET

The Leader of the Catholic Armenian Community and the Armenian Patriarch to Beirut Pierre XVIII visited Turkish Armenians' Patriarch Mutafyan yesterday. The meeting between the Patriarchs of the two churches, which have experienced strained relations ever since the establishment of the Armenian Church by Mahmut II in 1830, aimed to overcome the tension prior to the Pope's visit to Armenia in July. /Hurriyet/

CANDIDATES OF TURKISH ORIGIN

In the run-up to the Belgian General Election on June 13, the European Turkish Academics' Union (EATA) held a conference in Brussels attended by candidates of Turkish origin, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Speaking at the opening of the conference, EATA Chairman Hulya Ertorun stated that Belgians of Turkish origin are witnessing a historic change at present. After three generations, candidates of Turkish origin will be permitted to stand in the polling, she said.

TOPKAPI'S TREASURES EXHIBITION IN US

Jewels and treasures from Topkapi Palace to be displayed in the year 2000 at three different museums in the US, have been promoted at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, sparking wide-spread interest. Pieces that have never before been taken out of the Palace are to be on display in the "Palace of Gold and Light: Topkapi's Treasures" exhibition. /All papers/

SPECIAL MAGAZINE FOR EUROPE

The Directorate of Religious Affairs has published a Religious Affairs European magazine for Turkish citizens living in Europe. The Head of the Directorate, Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, said that they had created such a project in order to inform the public on religious issues and added: "We aim to increase the cultural level of Turkish people working and living in Europe. The magazine will be published monthly". /Turkiye/

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

OCALAN AND CIVILIAN DGMs - BY ENIS BERBEROGLU (HURRIYET)

Enis Berberoglu, a columnist for `Hurriyet', reflects on the current debate on the civilianization of the State Security Courts (DGMs) and concludes that the DGMs should be completely abolished. Berberoglu writes: "When Ocalan was captured on February 15, it was already apparent that he would be tried before the DGM. However, the European Human Rights Commission's decision that the DGMs in Turkey are not `independent and impartial' was made two years ago. It was obvious that the DGM's decision concerning Ocalan would be not considered in line with the concept of law. Thus, since the capture of Ocalan, various formulas have been sought for the exclusion of military judges from the DGMs. But, if they already wanted `civilian DGMs', why did they wait until the last moment? Right after the capture of Ocalan, the `Urgent Plan' of Prime Minister Ecevit was set on the agenda of the minority government. It proposed the enactment of the Penitence Law in order to ensure the surrender of PKK militants in the mountains and the withdrawal of the military members of the DGMs. The military did not oppose the idea of a civilian DGM. This paved the way to exlude military judges - whom Europe considers `dependent and biased' due to their being part of the military hierarchy- from the trial process. Yet the government did not bring the Constitutional amendment bill forward for consideration by Parliament. This was because the candidate lists for the April 18 Election had already been declared and the government feared the reopening of Parliament at a time when `the disgruntled' movement, geared towards the postponement of the Election, was at its peak. All the same, due to the `retard' of the Government, neither the Penitence Law was enacted nor the DGMs were turned over to full civilian control. Throughout the trial process of Ocalan, the form has outrun the content. Now, rather than the outrageous crimes of Ocalan, Europe is interested in which court he will be tried before. Interestingly, the decision concerning this issue has been left to the court itself. Who can expect this court to issue a confession along the lines of `We are not independent and impartial?'? The point we have reached is obvious. If we belong to Europe, we do not have the right to try Ocalan before a court in which a military judge is present. On the other hand, if we change the nature of the prevailing trial process in the DGMs merely for Ocalan, who can stand for their previous decisions, how can one defend these decisions? How can we explain the punishment of hundreds of intellectuals, writers and jounalists who committed no crime other than writing? The best solution is to abolish the DGMs completely. This is what democracy deserves."

SPECIAL KOSOVO

"TURKEY ACTIVE IN GROUND FORCES"

The Commander of the Turkish Air Force, General Ilhan Kilic, said yesterday Turkey was a country which met her responsibilities in line with the agreements she had signed. He added that the airstrikes would continue, however, a ground attack would also begin to support the airstrikes. Concerning the current Greek attitude, Kilic said that Greece had not only closed its airspace to Turkey but also to the US. He added that Greece refused to permit NATO aircraft, which would be required during the rescue operations, to use its airbases. /Sabah/

BANDIRMA AIR BASE

Turkey's 6th Military Air Base in Bandirma is awaiting the arrival of 18 NATO warplanes that will be used in Allied air strikes in the Kosovo campaign. A total of 100 US military personnel have already arrived in Bandirma. Turkish F-16s based at Italy's Ghedi Air Base flew sorties over Kosovo on May 26-27 as part of the on-going NATO operations, the General Staff press office reported. /All papers/

UN TRIBUNAL INDICTS MILOSEVIC FOR ATROCITIES

The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal said yesterday that it has indicted Slobodan Milosevic and four other senior officials for crimes against humanity in Kosovo, the first time an international court has charged a sitting head of state. /All papers/

16,625 KOSOVARS IN TURKEY

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of Kosovars who have arrived in Turkey has increased to 16,625, reported the Anatolian News Agency. Now 6,176 women, 5,177 men and 5,272 children are being sheltered in Turkey.

50 DISABLED KOSOVAR CHILDREN AT THE AYVALIK FESTIVAL

50 disabled Kosovar children staying in the Kirklareli refugee camp were invited to the "International Disabled Festival" organized Ayvalik, a town in Balikesir, reported the Anatolian News Agency. Caner Yilmaz, Deputy to the Kırklareli Governor and the official in charge of the refugee camp, said that 50 disabled children were transported to the Ayvalik Festival together with their families. Adding that wheelchairs and orthopaedic items had been given to five disabled persons in the camp, Yilmaz noted that they were trying to meet their every need.

CERTAIN FACTS ABOUT KOSOVO - BY MUSTAFA ASULA (TURKIYE)

Columnist Mustafa Asula comments on the article published in the 'International Herald Tribune' on 24 May 1999. A summary of his column is as follows: "In his article dated 24 May 1999, President Clinton issued an important message to the Serbian President, Slobodan Milosevic, NATO and the countries and peoples of the region. The reason he gave for the US presence in Kosovo was solidarity with a free, united Europe living in peace. Since basic European values built on peace, stability and unity were faced with a serious threat due to the planned campaign Slobodan Milosevic had been waging for ten years, they had to intervene. He said that in the Balkans ethnic conflict was a fact of the past, whereas 'ethnic cleansing' is new. He added that remaining indifferent to 'ethnic cleansing' would invite a moral and strategic catastrophe. In Bosnia such a stand lost the lives of 250 thousand people and the displacement of 2 million. In Kosovo, NATO was determined not to repeat the same tragedy once more. However, at first the West tried all peaceful means possible to solve the issue. When these failed, NATO started the air strikes. President Clinton expressed his belief that they would obtain the result they expected with the air strikes and stressed that there were no discordant views within NATO concerning its basic aims despite some difference of opinion vis-a-vis tactics. He stated that Serbs would withdraw their forces from Kosovo, refugees would return to their homes safely, and an international peace force will be deployed in the region. The President added that on this subject they favoured constructive cooperation with Russia. President Clinton also voiced his belief that the Balkan question should be seen in a wider perspective and added that their aim was to eradicate 'ethnic cleansing' and the best way to succeed in this aim was to integrate this region into Europe. The US and Europe should be able to do what was done for Western Europe following the Second World War, and for Central Europpe following the Cold War. He said that the West must help these countries enter the EU and NATO by strengthening their economy, trade and encouraging investments in this region. A democratic Serbian State respecting its people, neighbours and environment can take its place within these organizations. Serbia has to choose between being a European State or remaining a Balkan State near Europe. The US President is sending messages to both sides. While inviting some members of NATO disenchanted with the air strikes because not enough concrete results have been achieved so far, he also urges the Serbian people to think of their long-term interests. After reading this statement a question springs to mind; where will Turkey stand after the Balkan countries enter the EU?"

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