CHIRAC-CEM MEETING

French President Jacques Chirac received Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem at the Elysee Palace yesterday. Chirac said: "Europe should show that it is in solidarity with Turkey. The EU should extend aid to Turkey". Cem thanked Chirac for his individual efforts to help Turkey following the earthquake and pointed out that France helped Turkey concerning every issue in the aftermath of this disaster. Cem said that during his meeting with Chirac, they discussed Turco-French relations, EU Helsinki Summit to be held on December 10-11 and regional problems. Cem also conveyed a letter from Turkish President Suleyman Demirel to Chirac inviting him to Turkey in 2000. Chirac welcomed the letter and said that he agreed in principle. Cem stated concerning the Greek aid to Turkey following the earthquake that the solidarity between Turkish and Greek people would affect the politicians. Meanwhile, the Elysee Palace Spokesman Catherina Colonna said that the EU has offered 4 million Euro to Turkey to date and added that additional aid worth 25-30 million Euro would come on the agenda during a Summit of the EU Foreign Ministers to be held in Ivalo, Finland, this weekend. Furthermore, Finnish Foreign Minister Tanja Halonen and the EU Commissioner responsible for foreign relations Hans Van Den Broek who visited the disaster region in Turkey last week will present a report during the Summit and it is reported that this report will pay an important role in the amount of aid to be extended to Turkey. /Hurriyet/

ITALIAN MERLONI COMPANY TO CONSTRUCT PREFABRICATED HOUSES

The Italian Merloni Company stated that it will construct prefabricated houses for 500 victims of the earthquake in the Marmara Region. A statement issued by the Company said that the prefabricated houses will be produced in the Company's factory in Manisa and added that the houses will be delivered in November. It pointed out that $1 million was allocated for the production as a start. The statement stressed that a fund would also be formed from the sales of refrigerators produced in the Factory in Manisa. It concluded that the Company would cooperate with the municipalities and social associations in Turkey, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

SAKARYA UNIVERSITY CALLS UPON OTHER UNIVERSITIES ON INTERNET

Sakarya University has called upon other universities throughout the world to aid the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. The Rector of the Sakarya University, Prof.Ismail Calli, said yesterday that during the earthquake, the houses of many lecturers and the staff at the Sakarya University had collapsed. Calli stated that they were expecting aid from foreign universities throughout the world. He added: "We do not want money, however we need new residences and equipment. Because most of our equipment was damaged during the earthquake. There have been positive replies from some universities in the US, Britain, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Israel and Russia to date", the Anatolia News Agency reports.

TREASURY BORROWING DEBTS

The Treasury will issue bonds with three different terms in September. A statement issued by the Treasury Undersecretariat said that six months, three years and two year-term bonds will be issued. On September 13, the Treasury will issue six month-term bonds and expects to achieve a sale worth 400-650 trillion TL. On September 14, the Treasury will issue three year-term bonds and expects to realize a sale worth 700-900 trillion TL. On September 21, the Treasury wil issue two year-term bonds and is planning to receive 100-200 trillion TL, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

EU COMMISSION SUPPORTS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

The EU Commission has decided to offer financial support to 21 environmental projects including three in Turkey. A statement issued in Brussels said that a total of 5.3 million Euro will be extended to 21 projects from the 1999 Budget. Out of this total, nearly 836,000 Euro will be extended to the projects in Turkey. These three projects in Turkey aim at the protection of the environment, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

MINE EXPLODES IN YUKSEKOVA

As a result of a mine explosion in the Yuksekova district of Hakkari yesterday, one person (Selami Ak) died and one (Nizam Suer) was wounded. Officials said that the mine had probably been laid down by members of the PKK terrorist organization, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE FROM LIBYA

The Libyan Leader Muammer Kaddafi and high-level officials sent messages of condolence to President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. According to information received from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Libyan officials expressed their sorrow over the delay in sending their messages of condolence in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster in the Marmara region, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

DINI: "EU SHOULD MAKE A DECISION ON TURKEY'S CANDIDACY"

Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini stated that the EU should reach a decision on Turkey's official candidacy during a meeting to be held in Helsinki in December. Dini made a statement to the 'Il Sore 24 Ore' newspaper and said that within the framework of the recent tragedy experienced in Turkey and the risk which could occur in the economy of this great Mediteranean country, Turkey's candidate-member status should be recognized during the meeting in Helsinki. Dini added: "We cannot postpone Turkey's participation anymore. Efforts should be exerted towards a dialogue and political solidarity for a political unity which will provide the European balance in the future". Dini stated that the Balkan crisis has shown that EU should concentrate on the enlargement process in order to achieve stability in Southeastern Europe, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

44 BILLION TL FROM PATRIARCH TO KOCAELI UNIVERSITY

The Istanbul Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has extended financial assistance worth 44.3 billion TL to the Kocaeli University which was seriously damaged during the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region. Patriarch Bartholomeos I visited Kocaeli Governor Memduh Oguz yesterday. Bartholomeos I said that many aid projects had been carried out both inside and outside Turkey and added that the second portion of an aid package allocated to the victims of the earthquake in Adapazari by the Dodecanese (the twelve islands in the Aegean Sea) Governor's Office was delivered to officials in order to be sent from Marmaris to the disaster region. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY WILL THANK IN 43 LANGUAGES

In the aftermath of the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region, Turkey will thank all countries in 43 languages. At the end of the meetings between Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu and the Association of Advertising Companies, it has been decided that advertisements will be issued to express thanks to 43 countries which extended aid to Turkey following the earthquake in their own languages. /Hurriyet/

THE GUARDIAN: "TURKISH INDUSTRY IS GAINING BUOYANCY"

'The Guardian', a leading British newspaper, said that the Turkish industry is re-gaining its buoyancy. An article in the newspaper remarked that the fire at TUPRAS oil refinery in Izmit had been put out and added that the region was trying to overcome the troubles experienced following the earthquake. Meanwhile, the World Bank Director to Turkey, Ajay Chhibber, stated that they would like to coordinate the financial assistance to be offered to Turkey. In a statement to the 'Financial Times' newspaper, Chhibber said that an understanding for coordination controlled by a single body was needed. /Hurriyet/

RAILWAY PROJECT POSTPONED

A railway project which will decrease the travelling time between Istanbul and Ankara to five hours has been postponed. The tender planned to be put out by the General Directorate of the Railways within this month will be held in the future because of the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region. It is reported that an international tender will also be held for the Ankara-Istanbul railway project in 2000. /Hurriyet/

BEKO ATTENDS IFA'99

The Beko Electronics Company is attending the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA'99) in Berlin for the fourth time. The General Director of Beko, Aydin Cubukcu, said that they reached a 10 % share in the television sector in the German market. Another Turkish company, Vestel, is also participating in the Fair. 816 companies from 33 countries are taking part in the Fair expected to be visited by nearly 500,000 people this year. /Hurriyet/

OIL FROM IRAQ

It is expected that 550,000 barrels of oil waiting at Ceyhan Station of the Turkish Pipelines and Petroleum Transportation Company (BOTAS) envisaged to be extended from Iraq to Turkey following the earthquake disaster in Turkey will be pumped to the TUPRAS Kirikkale Refinery this morning. Iraq is giving the oil on condition that TUPRAS will extend $10 million in return for 550,000 barrels to the Turkish Red Crescent. Officials said that TUPRAS would give $10 million to the Red Crescent one month after the oil is pumped to Kirikkale. /Hurriyet/

SOUTH KOREAN AID FOR TURKEY

A campaign launched by the 'Dong-A Ilbo', a leading newspaper published in South Korea, in order to help the victims in Turkey is receiving much attention from high-level officials. Korean Head of State Kim Dae-Jung sent a message to the newspaper supporting the campaign while the newspaper announced 'September 1' as the day for 'Thinking for Turkey'. Kim Dae-Jung recalled that Turkey had sent nearly 14,000 soldiers to protect the freedom and democracy in Korea and more than 3,600 Turkish soldiers died or were wounded during the Korea War. He added that this was now the time to help Turkey. /Hurriyet/

CLINTON CALLS ON PEOPLE TO AID TURKEY

US President Bill Clinton delivered a speech on a radio station in New York yesterday and once again called on American citizens to help Turkey. Clinton described the earthquake in the Marmara Region as one of the biggest disasters of this century and thanked all American institutions which lent a helping hand to the victims in Turkey. Clinton recalled that Turkey has been an ally of the US for many years and added: "The Turkish nation is our friend. They need help today because they are seriously affected by the earthquake disaster". /Hurriyet/

FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENT IN NEW YORK TIMES

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) published a full-page advertisement in the 'New York Times' newspaper and called upon everyone to help the victims in Turkey. The advertisement was published under a headline 'Turkey needs help'. It says: "Turkey is a friend of the US, Israel and the Jews and needs help. Thousands of people died during the earthquake. Many people are homeless now. We cannot ignore this tragedy". /Hurriyet/

HATEMI SENDS A MESAGE TO DEMIREL

A special envoy of the Iranian President Hatemi and the Iranian Health Minister Muhammed Ferrahi was received by President Suleyman demirel at the Presidential Palace yesterday. Ferrahi conveyed a message of condolence from Hatemi to Demirel. Demirel expressed his gratitude and thanked him for the Iranian aid extended to help the victims in Turkey. Demirel said that nearly 15,000 people died, 40,000 were injured and almost 100,000 houses were damaged during the earthquake. The Iranian Health Minister also met Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan and Health Minister Osman Durmus yesterday. Ferrahi conveyed a message of condolence from the First Deputy of the Iranian President to Ecevit. Meanwhile, 2,700 passangers who arrived in Turkey by Grand Princess, a ship of billionaires, delivered $83,629 to the Turkish Red Crescent collected during a public auction held for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. /Hurriyet/

FOREST FIRE

As a result of forest fires in the Ceyhan and Imamoglu districts of Adana yesterday, 53 hectares of forest were burnt. Officials said that the fire had been brought under control. /Hurriyet/

US TEAM TO EXAMINE BOLU TUNNEL

A team of experts from the US Federal Highways Administration will make a tour of inspection on the highway and bridges damaged during the earthquake. The US team will also examine the Bolu Tunnel. /Milliyet/

KUTAN: "WE WILL SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT"

The Chairman of the Virtue Party (FP), Recai Kutan, said that they would not try to make these hard times an issue of politics and they would support the Government. Kutan and some FP officials visited Duzce, Golkaya, Cumayeri, Akyazi, Adapazari, Izmit and Derince yesterday. Kutan will visit Yalova, Cinarcik, Karamursel and Golcuk today. /Milliyet/

ATHENS OFFERS DISARMAMENT

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu made a statement to 'Avgi' newspaper and said that competition in defence expenses between Turkey and Greece is harming the two countries and added that a proposal for a restriction in the expenses could be realized if suitable conditions are achieved. The Greek Deputy Defence Minister Dimitris Apostolakis also made a statement to the same newspaper and remarked that it would be very pleasing if the two countries had reached a decision to reduce the power balance currently existing between the two countries. Meanwhile, Turkish Defence Minister Sebahattin Cakmakoglu said that the line for the solution of the political problems between Turkey and Greece had not changed. Cakmakoglu added: "Turkey supports a solution to the political problems with Greece. I think that those who propose this should initially get ready accordingly". Cakmaoglu stated that the projects and investments in the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) would continue without interruption. /Milliyet/

VILLAGE CONSISTING OF 100 HOUSES

The International Carriers' Association will construct a village consisting of 100 houses for the victims of the earthquake. The prefabricated houses will be constructed on a 30,000 square metre-field in Kocaeli. /Sabah/

COTTARELLI IN TURKEY

The IMF Turkish Desk Chief, Carlo Cottarelli, will arrive in Turkey prior to September 15 to discuss the aid to be extended to Turkey. Cotarelli made a statement to Reuters and said that they also hoped that they would sign a stand-by agreement with Turkey. He added that he would discuss this issue in an annul meeting or in meetings to be held in October. /Aksam/

THE NEW YORK TIMES: "BOTH GEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL AFFECTION"

A correspondent of the 'New York Times', a leading US newspaper, in Turkey, Stephen Kinzer, has claimed that the earthquake drew Europe and Turkey closer to each other. Kinzer said that the Europe and Turkey became closer both from the geological and political standpoints. /Sabah/

CILLER: "DEMIREL SHOULD VETO THE AMNESTY LAW"

The Leader of the True Path Party (DYP), Tansu Ciller, said that the Amnesty Law approved by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) should be vetoed by President Suleyman Demirel. Ciller and Demirel held a meeting at the Presidential Palace yesterday. Ciller also stated that State of Emergency Rule should be declared in the earthquake disaster region. /Sabah/

FOREIGN CREDITS

Following the IMF and the World Bank, Japanese, Spanish and German credit institutitons are also offering aid to the victims in Turkey. A project credit worth 4.2 million DM for the modernization of the Aliaga facilities belonging to Petkim has been provided from Germany. Another agreement worth $9.8 million was also reached between Spain and Turkey for a railway project between Izmir-Aliaga-Menemen-Cuma Plain. Meanwhile, the General Director of the Petkim (Petro-Chemistry Company) Mustafa Mutlu said that Petkim met 44 % of Turkey's requirements and added that they would continue with their investments to increase their production thereby making great contributions to the Turkish economy. /Turkiye/

TURKISH FIGS ON THE WORLD MARKET

Turkey which exports 50,000 tons of figs every year currently has 75 % of the world market. According to information received from the Aydin Agricultural Directorate, there are 6.1 million fig trees in Aydin and its surroundings. Aydin is considered to be the fig centre of Turkey. /Turkiye/

ECEVIT THANKS EVERYONE

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said in an interview on the 'Le Nouvel Observateur' a weekly news magazine published in France that a great deal of aid had arrived in Turkey to help the victims and thanked all countries which extended support to Turkey. Meanwhile, an article in the 'Jerusalem Post' newspaper published in Israel in English said that there was a strong government in Turkey arising from the rubbles of the earthquake. The article also pointed out the solidarity betwen Turkey and Israel. Ecevit also received the Head of the US International Development Agency Brady Anderson. Anderson said following the meeting that US President Bill Clinton had assigned him to determine the effect of the earthquake in Turkey. Anderson expressed his condolence to the Turkish nation and said that US support for Turkey would continue. /Turkiye/

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING

The Council of Ministers convened yesterday and made a series of decision concerning the victims of the earthquake which hit northwestern Turkey. The meeting was headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. State Minister and Government Spokesman Sukru Sina Gurel made a statement following the meeting and said that they had discussed short- and long-term measures to be taken in the disaster region. Gurel also stated that Ecevit conveyed information about the visit he paid to the disaster region few days ago. /Turkiye/

TRNC DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, AKINCI TO NORWAY

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Mustafa Akinci, is going to Norway upon the invitation of the Worker's Party, reported the Anatolian News Agency. Akinci will meet the leader of the Worker's Party, Thorbjom Jagland, which is the biggest party in the Parliament. During his meetings that will last for two days, he will also cover certain subjects with the International Relations Commission and the government's officals. Mustafa Akinci will attend the conference that will be held by Oslo International Institute of Peace Inspection and make statements about the latest situation on the Island. Akinci left Lefkose for Istanbul this morning.

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

The Boston Globe, which is one of the leading newspapers in the U.S., has written that the Greek people's attitude towards Turkey had changed after the earthquake which destroyed the Marmara Region of Turkey, reported the Anatolian News Agency. The Boston Globe quoted an article written by Anna Stergiyu, which was published in the daily `Elefterotipia'. The following was stated in the article: "While we were growing up, the adults taught us that we should hate the Turkish people. However, this disaster that happened to our neighbour did not make us happy. Instead, we cried with the Turkish people and the hatred between us came to an end." An old Greek woman, who spoke to the Boston Globe newspaper said, "I cried so much although the earthquake occurred in Turkey. I sent some of my clothes to the earthquake victims in Turkey. A teacher also expressed his feelings about the earthquake and said that he wished this disaster would open the door of friendship between the two countries. In the newspaper it was also repeated that the Greek officials and the Greek government had come to the help of Turkey and that the Turkish people in turn replied to Greece's friendship with the same kindness.

STRONG AFTERSHOCKS CAUSE PANIC

A strong tremor and aftershock hit northwestern Turkey yesterday, reportedly killing one person and injuring dozens, sending quake-damaged buildings crashing down in a shower of bricks and debris and terrifying survivors of the devastating quake two weeks ago. The Anatolia News Agency said one person was killed by falling debris in Izmit, and it quoted Izmit's Governor, Memduh Oguz, as saying at least 166 people were hurt in Izmit and the nearby town of Derince.

BLUE STREAM PROJECT

Russia declared that they were expecting an income of 3 to 4 billion dollars after the implementation of the Blue Stream Natural Gas Pipeline Project between Turkey and Russia, which will be constructed beneath the Black Sea. The First Deputy of Prime Minister Viktor Hristenko, who is responsible for the project, said, "This pipeline is quite a complicated one which is unlike others in many aspects". He added that operation of the project will not require additional expenditures from the Russia's budget, on the contrary, it will bring in income and the project will also strengthen the geo-political position and effect of Russia in the region. It is planned that gas will start to flow through the pipeline in 2001 following construction, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

IMMIGRANTS SEIZED

Over the last two days, in Edirne, a total of 314 people, including 311 foreigners, who tried to pass illegally to Greece, were seized. The immigrants said in their statements that they intended to pass to Greece through the border and then travel on to different countries of Europe. The three Turkish immigrants were sent to the Republican Public Prosecutor's Office while the others were sent to the department for foreigners in Edirne Directorate of Security, to be deported, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

IRAN READY TO HELP

After an inspection of the quake region, Iranian Health Minister, Muhammed Ferhadi, yesterday, met with the Health Minister, Osman Durmus, in Ankara. The Iranian Minister said that they were ready to give all kind of aid. Minister Durmus thanked Iran for her help and added, "We need tents and water closets as a priority." /Star/

GREEK DOCTORS IN CINARCIK

Three doctors and one nurse from Greece are working in a field hospital which was established by them in tent-city, Cinarcik. The Greek doctors celebrated the '30th August Victory Day' with Turks. /Star/

AMERICAN TEAM GOES BACK

An American search and rescue team, consisting of 70 members from Miami and Fairfax, yesterday returned home. The team carried out rescue work in Izmit, Degirmendere, Yalova and managed to rescue four people alive from the rubbles. The team donated one trailer and jeep to the Turkish rescue team, AKUT, and another to the fire brigade. /Star/

DELEGATIONS FROM ISLANDS

An important step is being taken in Turco-Greek relations which calmed down after the earthquake disaster. At the end of October, a delegation from the Rhodes' Commerce and Industry Chamber will come to Izmir, to evaluate facilities for any cooperation. The Chairman of the Board of Izmir's Commerce Chamber, Ekrem Demirtas, said that they will also invite committees from the other Greek Islands. /Milliyet/

DAMAGE AT TUPRAS: 90 TRILLION TL

The damage at TUPRAS's Izmit Refinery due to the earthquake was assessed as 90 trillion TL, including the production loss, according to the first studies. The exact evaluation has not been completed yet. Meanwhile, yesterday, the tremor, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, didn't cause any damage at refinery. The refinery has been working normally for two days with 200 staff on duty. /Milliyet/

PREFABRICATED CITY FROM ISRAEL

It was reported that Israeli officials have begun to talk in Ankara about the prefabricated city that they are planning to build. The Israel government is planning to build a prefabricated city which will consist of a school, a hospital, kindergartens, a health centre and shops. The prefabricated city is planned to shelter 2,000 people and the infrastructure works of the city will be made by Turkey. The prefabricated city will include heating systems, bathrooms and kitchens in accordance with the health conditions./Cumhuriyet/

KOSOVAR DOCTORS HELP

Six Albanian doctors came to Turkey from Pristine University Medical School in Kosova and went to Adapazari in order to help the eartquake victims. Before setting out, the doctors made a statement at the Health Department Building in Sarachane and said, "Turkey helped us before and we came here as a response to this kindess. We will stay here as long as you need us." The doctors said that while still dealing with the shock of the war in Kosovo, they had been deeply saddened by the earthquake that occurred in the Marmara Region. They added that they had come to the help of Turkish people in spite of their limited facilities./Cumhuriyet/

NATURAL GAS IN AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister, Abid Serifov, reported that Azerbaijan would export natural gas through the Transhazar pipeline to the Turkmen S.S.R. At the press conference that he held yesterday, Serifov reported that they preferred the Transhazar pipeline and that they would discuss the issue with the Ankara and Tiflis Administrations between the 15th and 20th September. Serifov said that there was no need to meet the Turkmen S.S.R. officials and that they would begin to determine the volume of the natural gas in Azerbaijan. /Cumhuriyet/

EXPORTS MADE US HAPPY

After the economic crisis that took place last year, there was a decrease in many sector's export but the increase in the automotive sector has made us happy. The recession that began in international trade during the second half of last year lasted until this June, the highest increase in exports was 116.3% in the automotive sector. The Secretary General of the Automotive Industrialists' Association, Ercan Tezel, reported that they had been expecting the internal market to be active in September but that just the opposite had happened./Cumhuriyet/

PEKINEL SISTERS IN SALZBURG FESTIVAL

Guher and Suher Pekinel were welcomed by the most famous festivals in Europe this summer. They played not only at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, at the end of June, but also at the Salzburg Festival on 15th and 16th August. The artists played with the Salzburg Mozerteum Band that was conducted by Cristian Arming. The Pekinel sister were born in Istanbul. They were educated in Paris, Frankfurt, New York (Julliard) and at the Philedelphia Curtis Institute. They studied with professors such as Claudio Arrau and Leon Fischer. They have also played with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philarmonic Orchestra, Concertgebouw and the Japanese Philarmonic Orchestra. They attended the Salzburg Easter Festival as Karajan's guest. In the festival catalogue, it was also written: "the Pekinel sisters are active in their mother country, Turkey. They are now setting up the music library of a culture centre which is being constructed in Istanbul. `Pekinel Music Library' aims to bring Eastern and Western culture together in the same melting pot." /Cumhuriyet/

LAND FORCES SPENT 2.6 TRILLION TL FOR THE EARTHQUAKE

The Land Forces' Command is trying hard to heal the wounds of the earthquake victims. The Land Forces' Command spent 2 trillion 617 billion 100 million Turkish liras. It was reported that this source had been obtained from the Command's fund./Cumhuriyet/

CHILDREN VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE ON CNN

The earthquake that occurred in Turkey is remaining on the U.S.A's agenda. In the earthqake news that was broadcasted on CNN almost everyday, for the first time an interview with children was broadcast. In the program, the children that were affected by the earthquake spoke one by one. It was reported that the children victims of the earthquake, were affected by the disaster psychologically and that they were shocked by the earthquake. The children, who spoke to CNN said that the earthquake night was terrible. The children said, "We dream about the corpses that were arranged line by line that night. We cannot help thinking of our friends who died during the disaster. Now we cannot see them in the street." The American psychologists reported that child victims of the earthquake were those who received the biggest harm and they should be given special theraphy.

DENKTAS VISITS THE U.S.

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, will go to Washington to deliver speeches at some establishments next week. He will give a lecture at the Centre for Strategy and International Studies (CSIS). There is a possibilty that Denktas will later go to New York. Details of his other meetings are not clear yet. These meetings are seen as of great importance as they will take place before the meetings with the Greek-Cypriot Leader, Klerides, which was planned by the United Nations (UN). However, President Rauf Denktas has not given a positive respond to the call from the Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, for the leaders to start the meetings to find a solution on the Cyprus issue. /Aksam/

EXCAVATIONS IN BISMIL

The excavations which were carried out in the villages of Salattepe and Ziyarettepe in the district of Bismil of Diyarbakir, have ended, reported the Anatolian News Agency. A team of 15 archaeologists from Germany, the U.S. and England have reported that a great deal of historic artifacts dating back 6000 years have come to light. In the Salattepe Region, the ruins, believed to have once been the centre of a settlement area had been the residue of a fire. Tombs dating to the year 2000 B.C. have also been discovered. It has been reported that the excavations will end in the year, 2008.

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

DEVELOPMENT THE US CARES ABOUT -BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)

Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the improvement in Turco-Greek relations and the watchful eye of the US on the matter. A summary of his column is as follows: "The US is watching over a development it has waited for so long and that is the striking improvement seen in Turco-Greek relations following the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The US is making both direct and indirect suggestions to Turkey and Greece. The US Secretary of State Madeline Albright is expected in Ankara for a few hours in the next few days. The feelers we put out to the US side have shown that the visit by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to Washington on 28 September will have both humanitarian-economic and political aspects. On the humanitarian-economic aspect healing the wounds of Turkey due to the earthquake disaster will be taken up and the US contribution to reconstruction of Turkey will be discussed. It is pleasing to see that the US wants to agree on a serious and consistent aid policy. On the political front, Turco-Greek relations have come to the fore. The US views the recent atmosphere between Ankara and Athens as a very good chance and believes that it should not be wasted. The letter Secretary of State Albright has sent to George Papandreu thanking him for Greek efforts in helping Turkey should be interpreted within this context. The bilateral relations, Cyprus problem and human rights issues which are expected to be discussed during Ecevit's visit will also be taken up and concrete messages will be mutually given. These messages have already begun to be given by the article of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem published in the New York Times recently. He stated that Ecevit was not going to the US to be pressured or to be interrogated. However the US attributes great importance to the development following the earthquake as an atmosphere of peace between Greece and Turkey will not only decrease the tension in the Aegean but also strengthen the South Eastern wing of NATO. Furthermore it will have provided an atmosphere for the solution of Cyprus problem which has been sought for a quarter of a century. Cooperation between the two NATO allies on the Kosovo problem has also been noted by the US and the interests of Washington require stability in the Balkans and allies that cooperate with each other. Therefore the US attributes great significance to the postive developments between Turkey and Greece."

EARTHQUAKE AND EUROPE'S INTEREST -BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Erol Manisali comments on the helping hand from Europe during an hour of disaster in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "Turkey has been faced with a great disaster recently, the scenes from the disaster scene were shown on tv screens all over the world, and pictures appeared on the pages of all newspapers. Europe has extended a helping hand to this human tragedy. Turkey is located near to Europe. Three million Turks live on the Continent and millions of European tourists visit Turkey, besides tens of thousands of retired Europeans have settled in Turkey. The European voluntary organizations have rushed to the help of Turkey while we were still in shock of the disaster, suffered because of the earthquake. We were happy to see this humanitarian approach and began to applaud Europe and its organizations in an hour of sentimentality. We are an emotional nation and we are pleased very quickly or take offense needlessy. The applaud accorded to these organizations should be seen within this context. During these days we are passing through hard times and we are extremely sensitive. However, we should not forget a fact which will be seen when the wounds are healed. We should not interpret the aid provided by Europe in an hour of need as "Europe has changed its stance towards Turkey, we have misunderstood their intentions." Disasters bring people together however, the factors determining the relations between nations are based on interests. Until recently Ocalan and his organization received help all over Europe and this support continues even today. Was not Greece the main accomplice of the terrorist organization which killed 30.000 of our people and it is applauded today for the help it provided during the earthquake disaster? Some of our writers interpret the warm interest Europe has shown for the earthquake disaster as a change in European policy and that EU will take us in. Let us be realistic and do not deceive ourselves. The voluntary help provided by the European countries in the aftermath of the disaster should indeed be praised but international relations are not based on the emotional and temporary developments seen during disasters."

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