DEMIREL: "THE TARGET IS 200 BILLION DOLLARS"

President Suleyman Demirel stated that on the threshold of the 21st century, the most important problem for Turkey was "to create a balance between the economic and democratic regime." Demirel pointed out that Turkey's target was 200 billion dollars in the year 2010 and further added, "If we reach 200 billion dollars in foreign trade, then we can enjoy the level of today's Belgium." Demirel delivered a speech for the 2nd Foreign Trade Week, during which he said, "Now Turkey is selling the goods, which it purchased from many markets, back to those markets. Turkey's developmental moves should be made to work and investments should be continued." /Hurriyet/

ECEVIT RECEIVES GREEK ENVOY

The Greek Ambassador to Ankara, Iannis Corantis, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Monday during which he conveyed Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' message of good will and Athens' desire to maintain the recently-initiated dialogue between Turkey and Greece. Ecevit also expressed satisfaction with the dialogue and stressed that the two countries could now solve their longstanding problems more easily. "Intervention by third parties creates tension and leads to inconclusive initiatives", Ecevit said. /Turkiye/

WE HAVE SURPASSED THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY

According to the 1999 report of the United Nation's Foundation of Population (UNFPA), the average life expectancy in Turkey has risen above the world average. In Turkey, the average life expectancy is 66.6 years for men and 71.7 for women. According to the world average, life expectancy for men is 63.3 and this number is 67.6 for women. According to the UNFPA report, the national income (GNP) per person is above the average in terms of the parity of purchase. According to the report, the Gross National Product per person in Turkey is nearly 6,470 dollars in terms of the parity of purchase. /Hurriyet/

GANGS EXCLUDED FROM AMNESTY BILL

The coalition partners, the Democratic Left Party,(DSP), the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), and the Motherland Party (ANAP), met to discuss and give the form to the Amnesty Bill. Although all the partners agreed on excluding gangs from the Amnesty Bill, they could not reach a compromise on other articles. Minister of Justice Hikmet Sami Turk asked for the limits of the Amnesty Bill to be drawn up in compliance with public opinion and the veto of President Suleyman Demirel. Turk suggested crimes concerning gangs, torture, murder, exploiting the civil service and forgery to be excluded from the Amnesty Bill./Aksam/

TURKEY TO ENTER EU IN 2011

The Greek 'Flash' radio channel has unveiled a secret agreement between Germany, England and France. The radio asserted that these three countries have accepted a common attitude towards the EU's nominee countries. The first nominee to be accepted will be Hungary between 2003 and 2005, while Turkey will be granted a full membership status between 2011 and 2012. /Milliyet/

TURKEY BECOMES A MEMBER OF EUROPEAN FOUNDATION OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT (EFQM)

Turkey, while trying to enter the EU, has become a European as far as quality is concerned. The Quality Association (KalDer) signed a cooperation agreement with the European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM). Thus, Turkey became a member of the EU as far as quality is concerned. The EFQM was established by the 14 most outstanding West European companies and its work is supported by the EU. The Chairman of KalDer, Yilmaz Erguden said, "Turkish also will be used as an official language in EFQM publications after the year 2000. From now on, those who wish will be able to find Turkish articles. Furthermore, the EFQM Quality Award Ceremony and the International Quality Conference will be held in Turkey." /Hurriyet/

SCHOOLS OPEN IN GOLCUK, SAKARYA

Primary and secondary schools have opened in the Golcuk township of Kocaeli and in Sakarya, both located in the earthquake region. According to the announcement released by the highest-ranking goverment official in Golcuk, Adem Karahasanoglu, classes will meet in the 75 tents marquee erected on the southern section of the E-130 motorway, as well as in school yards. He said that primary and secondary schools will be grouped together as much as possible, adding that psychological counselling for students will be a priority. According to Ibrahim Ejder, the Deputy Governor of Sakarya, schools in his province have begun the new school year with approximately 60,000 students. Ejder stated that 92 winter-proof marquees had been erected in the area to provide accomodation for teachers, and there will be a 600-marquee-school complex erected. /All Papers/

FIVE WORKERS UNDER DEBRIS

In Golcuk, in Kocaeli province, six workers were trapped under the debris during the demolition of an eight-storey building which was damaged by the quake. While one worker's corpse was retrieved, rescue work is continuing to save the other five workers. /Cumhuriyet/

TUSIAD EXPLAINS ITS WORRIES

In order to ensure the registration of its membership to the EU, TUSIAD will lobby the most important capital cities of Europe, such as Brussels, Paris and Stockholm, before the critical Helsinki Summit. TUSIAD's EU tour, which started yesterday, will last for one month. In these capital cities, meetings will be held with private sector organizations who are the counterparts of TUSIAD. After these meetings, it is hoped these institutions will inform their governments that they, as the business world, support Turkey's candidacy. They will hold direct talks with high-ranking politicians from the countries visited and explain their views on Turkey's enterance into the process of becoming a member of the EU. Political and economic circles will hold informal meetings with the press. Interviews will be conducted to discover the strength of public opinion in the EU member countries and conferences will be held in order to improve the image of Turkey. /Sabah/

PRIVATE SECTOR WAITS FOR LAND

The private sector is waiting for land from the Ministry of Public Works to construct over 10 thousand houses in the earthquake region. Minister Koray Aydin said that they had experienced some difficulties in finding land with a firm underlying structure for the permanent houses. The government will provide a new decree granting the power to expropriate wooded land and private lands to ensure spaces for the construction of buildings. /Milliyet/

WARM MEETING IN ATHENS

Today, Turkish and Greek businessmen are coming together in Athens, at the Turco-Greek Businees Council. Chairman Sarik Tara emphasized that the atmosphere between the two countries is very positive and he added that they aimed to increase the trade volume, which is about 750 million dollars now. /Milliyet/

STAND-BY AGREEMENT WITH IMF

Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel stated that the negotiations underway with the IMF would be concluded by the end of November or the beginning of December. In a statement he made to Reuters, Erçel said, "The negotiations are carrying on as we had foreseen and expected. I hope we will conclude the stand-by agreement by the end of November or mid-December." Following Ercel's statement the Istanbul Stock Exchange recovered and these messages also had a positive influence on the bond market. /Aksam/

TURK ELECTED THE BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR IN TOURISM IN INDONESIA

The owner of the "Transorient" company, one of the biggest tour operators which organizes tours from Germany to Far Eastern countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam, Zeynel A. Atmacan, (38), was elected the "businessman of the year in tourism", for bringing the most tourists from Europe to the Far East. Malaysian Airlines also presented him with a plate to say `thank you' because his firm had provided them with the highest number of passengers. /Hurriyet/

MOST EXPORTS BY TUPRAS

In 1998, TUPRAS was the organization to expert the greatest amount in its sector. In 1998 the revenue from TUPRAS exports reached $140 million. In an evaluation by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariatof 19 main sectors, TUPRAS obtained first place in the chemical materials and products sector. At a ceremony held at the Ankara Sheraton Hotel the successful companies were presented with their awards. State Minister Tunca Toskay speaking at the ceremony, said that the only logical alternative was to direct all efforts towards exports. /Aksam/

PETROLEUM PRICE FALLS

The price of petrol fell by 5% yesterday. The discount originated from the decrease in world petroleum prices. A 112% increase in petroleum prices has been exprienced since the beginning of the year. /Milliyet/

THY FLIGHTS

Turkish Airlines has announced reduced air fares for flights to Madrid and Barcelona from Istanbul. Return tickets for the Istanbul-Madrid and Istanbul-Barcelona routes will cost $199. /All Papers/

FRENCH GOVERNMENT AWARDS MEDAL TO THREE TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

The Chairman of the Union of Turkish Travel Agencies, Talha Camas will be awarded the "Medal of Honour for Tourism", which is presented by France twice a year to two persons in each country. It was reported that although this medal is given to only two persons each year, this year it would be awarded to three people in Turkey. Businessmen Ali Korur and Yusuf Duru will also be presented with the same medal as Talha Camas. /Hurriyet/

BIGGEST PRIZE IN WORLD OF GLASS FOR ALEV YARAMAN

The Sisecam group, which is among the biggest names in the world in glass, is leaving its mark on the world with its professional administrators. The Chairman of the Duzcam Sisecam Group, Alev Yaraman, has been considered worthy of the Phoenix Prize, which confers great prestige on the recipient in the world's glass sector. Yaraman became the first Turk and the first woman considered to be deserving this prize. /Hurriyet/

FAMOUS WRITER BAYKURT DIES

Fakir Baykurt, one of the leading writers in Turkey, died of cancer at the age of 70, on Monday in Essen, Germany. Baykurt's body will be flown back to Turkey today. During his literary carreer he was honoured six times in the country and twice abroad for his work of over 70 novels, 32 of them in German. /All papers/

TURKISH PUBLISHERS IN FRANKFURT

One of the most important events world-wide, the '51st. International Frankfurt Book Fair' will be held in Oct., between 13th and 18th., in Frankfurt. The Fair will take place in an area of 180 thousand square metres. The Turkish Publishers' Union is going to attend the Fair with 80 publishing houses and 2,500 books. This year, Hungary is the guest country at the Fair. /Cumhuriyet/

OPEN-AIR CONCERT FOR FRIENDSHIP

The concert by Zulfi Livaneli, Mikis Theodorakis and Maria Faranduri, which was postponed due to the earthquake, will be staged in Istanbul's Harbiye Open-Air Theatre at 19:30 tonight. A huge orchestra comprising Turkish, Greek and German musicians will accompany Theodorakis, Livaneli and Faranduri. Theodorakis spoke to `Sabah' newspaper and said, "We should protect the flowers that bloomed among the tragedies caused by the earthquake that saddened the people of both countries." /Sabah/

REDUCED CELEBRATIONS FOR REPUBLIC DAY

In a circular issued by the Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, it is stated that the Republic Day celebrations will be reduced this year due to the earthquake disaster. The celebrations will consist of laying wreaths at Ataturk's Mausoleum and at Ataturk statues. /Cumhuriyet/

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

HEAD OF SIMITIS AND ECEVIT'S MIND - BY METIN TOKER (MILLIYET)

Columnist Metin Toker analyzes Turco-Greek relations. A summary of his column is as follows: "This improvement in Turco-Greek relations is not being seen for the first time since the "Peace Operation" in Cyprus. The recent development in relations did not start with the earthquake disaster, but the meetings started by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries have gained impetus because of it. Negotiations in the past were not successful because issues of importance for both parties were not discussed. The main issue for Greece is 'Cyprus' and the basic problem for Turkey is the obstacle Greece sets up at an international level, particularly in the European Union. The interesting point is that Cyprus has become a problem for Greece through their inconsiderate attitudes and unrealizable dreams. Turks gave the power of veto to Greece by not applying for membership of the EU simultaneously with them. Therefore, it can be said that these neighbouring countries are suffering from their own mistakes. However, it is time to leave all these errors aside. At present it is Ankara's turn to make a gesture. The General Election will be held in Greece in March. The hawks of PASOK, the party presently in power, are preparing to have the heads of Prime Minister Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreu for trying to improve relations with Turkey without obtaining anything in return. The only way to frustrate their efforts is to behave generously. Turkey has expressed its willingness to reach a compromise on some points, however it has pointed out that if these are presented as pre-conditions to a meeting, it will not fall into the trap. They could only be cited among the results of an agreement. The main aim of all Turks is the same. They want to achieve a community equal in every way in a region militarily defendable, economically alive and with a large economy. Turkish Cypriots do not have any opposition to being a part of a state in the nature of a confederation. All meetings have been unsuccessful as the Greeks have not accepted this view. A peace offensive by Ankara as Greece goes to the polls, the representative of President Clinton is expected in Cyprus and the European Union is expected to take a different stand at Helsinki, will lighten the weight of the 'Cyprus problem' on Turkish foreign relations, Turkish foreign policy. It will increase the chance of finding a more understanding party in power in Greece. Turkey cannot bear the burden of being the uncompromising party."

IT MAY VERY WELL BE - BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Cuneyt Arcayurek writes on the earthquake disaster and its causes. A summary of his column is as follows: "There seems to be an awakening in viewing the earthquake zones by many organizations, mainly in the institutions of the press except for the Government. The Press has begun to write the facts which are sources of criticism. However, the Government is focussing on whether to build the prefabricated bungalows with or without chimneys! One tends to think that political parties and the government have forgotten the disaster we suffered just a few months ago. The US revealed the report of a delegation made up of experts it sent to Turkey. The chairman of the delegation, seismic engineer Terence Parret, stated that the loss of 15,000 lives in the Marmara earthquake was due to the poor standards of construction on unstable ground. Turkish officials have the necessary documentation and information which would verify the report produced by the Americans. However, they are not investigating the ratio of houses built on unstable ground. The Government has an important duty to fulfill. There are other regions in Turkey where buildings are erected on unstable ground. Has the Government started an investigation into these areas? The report prepared by the Americans warn that a stronger earthquake will occur in Turkey in the future. In Turkey, people are more concerned with the causes of the earthquake rather than starting a scientific investigation. Some even explain away the disaster as a result of not allowing girls wearing headscarves into state schools."

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