DEMIREL IN AZERBAIJAN

Following the invitation of the Ajerbaijani President, Haydar Aliyev, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel is going to Baku today on a one-day working visit. In a statement issued by the Presidential Press Centre, Demirel and Aliyev, during their face-to-face meetings, will discuss mutual and regional issues. In this respect, the petroleum and natural gas pipelines will also be discussed. /Cumhuriyet/

THE STATE'S PLEDGE

President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit attended handing-over ceremonies organized in Yalova, Kocaeli and Sakarya, for the delivery of 216 prefabricated houses to their owners. Demirel said during his speech, "Our aim is not to leave the victims in tents before winter. Our state and nation will repair the damage with foreign help." Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Sabanci Holding Company's Executive Board, Sakip Sabanci, pledged to construct 1,000 houses instead of 700. /Turkiye/

CEM DUE IN LATIN AMERICA

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem left for his Latin America visit, which includes Cuba and Venezuela yesterday. The Minister will hold meetings in these two countries in order to improve our economic relations with them. /Turkiye/

'DONATIONS TO BE USED ONLY FOR VICTIMS'

The Treasury made a statement due to the rumours that state workers' salaries this month have been paid using the IMF's 500-million-dollar aid package. The statement said that the aid package has not been credited to the Central Bank account yet, and it is expected to arrive on Oct. 18th. State Minister Recep Onal also declared that his statement had been misunderstood and originated from misinformation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that he had read the story in the newspapers and he had no information on this subject, however, he declared that this kind of thing was not possible. Ecevit was emphatic: "Our citizens must be sure that all of the donations in their entirety will be spent on the victims down to the very last cent. /Hurriyet/

PREFABRICATED HOUSES FROM JAPAN

500,000 prefabricated houses, which have been donated by Japan for the earthquake victims in Turkey, are being brought to Turkey by the Japanese Navy. These vessels will arrive in Turkey at Haydarpasa Harbour tomorrow. /Cumhuriyet/

MINIMUM WAGE DELIBERATIONS

The Minimum Wage Committee will hold its first meeting in order to fix the new minimum wage, valid from the 1st January, 2000. The Committee consists of a total of 15 persons, 5 of which are Government representatives, 5 workers' representatives and 5 employers' representatives. /Cumhuriyet/

POLITICAL SOLIDARITY WITH TEHRAN

The growth of mutual political solidarity between Turkey and Iran began yesterday in Tehran. The Undersecretary from Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Korkmaz Haktanir, went to Tehran yesterday in order to attend the mutual political consultation meetings which will be held periodically. During the consultations, which will be attended by the Turkish delegation, chaired by the Ambassador Korkmaz Haktanir and the Iranian delegation, all aspects of relations between the two countries will be discussed. Ambassador Haktanir will meet the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kemal Harrazi today. /Cumhuriyet/

SANBERK'S MESSAGE ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST

The Turkish Ambassador to London, Ozdem Sanberk, while addressing representatives of the British Jewish Community, said that Turks had enjoyed ties with Arabians and Jews over the course of time and that these three nations would be able to live in the Middle East in peace. Ambassador Sanberk, while delivering a speech at the meeting of members of the British Jewish Council, also remarked on the peace process in the Middle East. Ambassador Sanberk further emphasized that Turkey was one of the biggest supporters of this process and that he believed that the implementation of peace could only herald positive changes for everyone in the region. /Cumhuriyet/

"TERRORISM IS OVER; IT IS TIME FOR INVESTMENT"

The American Ambassador, Mark Parris, who arrived in the South East of Turkey in order to investigate investment opportunities in the region with a business delegation of 30 people, said, "The realization of this programme could not even have been dreamed of two years ago." Mark Parris said that the fact that the problem of terrorism in the South East had been countered would provide great opportunities for investment and cooperative ventures. Parris, who attended a reception organized by the Turco-American Businessmen's Association (TABA) last night with the American business delegation, evaluated their visit to the South East as "extraordinarily important". Parris pointed out that such a delegation, comprising high-ranking management officials from the largest firms in the U.S.A, had come to Turkey for the first time. Ambassador Parris said, "Ecevit and Clinton talked about the potential of the South East. President Clinton promised support for the improvement of business contacts between this region in Turkey and the U.S., and he promised to send a trade delegation. This delegation from the 22 most exclusive companies in the U.S. are here to start this mission." Parris also complimented Government on its performance and stated that for the first time in recent years a stable coalition Government was in power in Turkey. He further added, "Thanks to this stability, leaders have been able to implement the social security and banking reforms." /Milliyet/

HOUSES FROM BUSINESSMEN IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY

The Turkish Textile Industry Employers' Union will build 1,000 permanent houses and one school in the quake region. The Union has allocated 4 billion TL for the venture. The Chairman, Halit Narin, stated that the venture would be completed in the year 2000. He also made a proposal for the banks to donate their profits for the year 1999 as further aid for the region. /Turkiye/

INVESTMENTS NOT COVERED BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME WILL NOT BE MADE

The official decision to implement, coordinate and adher to the year 2000 investment timetable was published in the Official Gazette. Public institutions will pay attention to saving money under principles already determined concerning investment projects, the allocation of subsidies and the purchase of vehicles. According to this, no money will be spent on any project that is not part of the Investment Programme for the year 2000. /Hurriyet/

BUDGET BEFORE TGNA

The Budget for the year 2000 has been presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The Budget has been envisaged at 46.843 quadrillion TL. With stable prices, the growth rate is aimed to be 5.5%, while interest revenue has been estimated as 21.1 quadrillion TL and the interest on local debts as 19.8 quadrillion TL. Tax revenue is expected to be 24 quadrillion TL and the consolidated budget deficit is envisaged to be 14.4 quadrillion TL. /Sabah/

THE PRIDE OF TURKEY: TAI

The General Director of the Turkish Aviation and Space Industry (TAI), Kaya Ergenc, declared that the last F-16 fighter plane in the second batch ordered will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force during a handing-over ceremony. The first half of the order comprised 152 F-16 fighters produced by the TAI, with a further 80 in the second batch. Of these planes two of them were evaluated to be excellent, while one other had 0 faults. Ergenc said that the TAI has proved itself to the world, and they were now engaged in work for the U.S.A., France, Belgium, Taiwan, Canada and South Korea. He remarked that the TAI was currently working on 33 ventures with 34 other ventures already completed. He noted that the endorsement of the firm was around 80 million dollars. /Sabah/

SEMINAR FOR THE EURO

A seminar named 'The EURO in the First Year: Arrangements, Policies, Developments, Issues, Effects and Expectations' is going to begin in Ankara today. The Seminar was organized by the Central Bank and it will be held between Oct. 18th and 22th. During the Seminar, employees from the Central Bank and others from the various finance establishments, who are affected by this topic, will be introduced to the EURO. /Sabah/

TURCO-JAPANESE LEATHER LINK REAWAKENED

Teodem, which has been involved in leather manufacturing for 30 years, has signed a two-year export agreement with Fushikawa Shoji Co. Ltd. which owns chain of 30 department stores in Japan. Thus, a leather link has been re-established with Japan, a good customer for Turkey until 1998, during which year the economic crisis occurred. /Aksam/

AGREEMENT CONCERNING FIGHT AGAINST AIDS IN CANKAYA

The Turkish Mother and Child Health Foundation (TACSAV) and Cankaya Municipality's Mother and Child Health Foundation signed a protocol for a coordinated effort against AIDS and drug addiction. The Mayor of Cankaya, Haydar Yilmaz, said, "We are always ready to cooperate with TACSAV. We also improved a comprehensive health project that covers the opening of new public polyclinics." /Aksam/

YOUNG STYLIST WILL COMPETE IN THE U.S.A.

Ali Bedri Senyil, a 4th year student in the Textile Design Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dokuz Eylul University, won the `Best Collection' special prize in a design competition organized by the Fashion Houses' Union in Russia. "I am also expecting to receive an award in the competition in the U.S.A. Improvemens in the textile sector will promote Turkey in a better way in the U.S.A.", says Senyil. /Aksam/

TWO MORE AWARDS FOR TURKEY

Public Relations Awards will be given to their recipients in the capital of Japan, Tokyo, tomorrow by the International Public Relations Association. Green Active PR from Turkey won two prizes in two categories with the CIF `Topkapi Palace' and RAMA `Story of Taste' ventures. Green Active PR is the only Turkish firm that has won the IPRA prize four times. /Aksam/

UNIQUE PINE THAT GROWS ONLY IN TURKEY

Efforts have begun to conserve and protect the "Pinus Nigra", a type of pine tree that grows only in Alasehir, a town in the country of Manisa. This sort of pine is not grown anywhere else in the world outside this town. /Hurriyet/

MAGNIFICENT CONCERTS

During the closing ceremony of the 1st Turkish Festival held in Lahey, Holland, one of the leading names in Turkish pop music, Nilufer, staged a concert companied by the Lahey Symphony Orchestra. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Prof. Dr. Tekin Aybas, who attended the festival's closing ceremony that began on 10th October, said, "When I was in Holland as a student 37 years ago, only seven people attended a reception held by the Embassy. Today the Turkish culture has begun to thrive in Holland." /Milliyet/

CONCERT IN PARIS

A magnificent concert, organized for the earthquake victims in Turkey by the owners of the Olympia Music Hall, Paulette and Patricia Coquatrix and Erkan Ozerman, shook the capital of France. During the concert a record was broken due to the number of artists, 28 in all, and the number of members of the orchestra who accompanied them. The Olympia Music Hall was packed out for the concert in aid of the earthquake victims. /Milliyet/

EURASIAN MARATHON

Taye Moges from Ethiopia and the Romanian runner Florina Pana, both became first in the Eurosian Marathon, in the men's and women's race respectively. The race was organized to raise money for the earthquake victims in Turkey, and from the registration fees, brought in more than 10 billion Turkish lira. Nearly 300 athletes from Turkey and abroad took part in the 21st Eurasian Marathon and the 15-kilometres race. In addition, almost 75,000 people took part in the open race. Benjamin Itok won the men's 15 kms race and the Romanian Mihaela Botezan won the 15 kms women's race. /Milliyet/

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

TURCO-GREEK RELATIONS AND THE CYPRUS PROBLEM - BY TANJU ERDEM (CUMHURIYET)

Retired Admiral Tanju Erdem analyzes Turco-Greek relations and the causes of the Cyprus problem. A summary of his column is as follows: "In recent days a rapprochement between the two nations has been able to be witnessed due to the voluntary help offered during the earthquake disasters which occurred in both countries; also the Foreign Ministers of both countries are continuing their dialogue towards a relaxing of each country's fixed stance. With the initiative of the US, the leader the G-8, a solution for the Cyprus problem has been brought onto the agenda. While Prime Minister Ecevit displays cautious optimism on the issue, the Greek Foreign Minister reiterates their old stances in a softer style. The general view on the issue can be summarized thus: The dream of a "Greater Byzantium" lies at the bottom of the Turco-Greek dispute. Greece has enlarged its territory by a third by means of battles and diplomacy. If the Anatolian expedition had been successful, if we had not gained our independence, Turks would have lost even their motherland, Anatolia. Greece owes its enlargement to the financial and military support of Western imperialist powers. She implemented policies directed towards eliminating the Turks during these developments. Peace could only be achieved by the considerate approach of Ataturk and Inonu at Lausanne over the Aegean Islands. Only through their rational attitude was friendship between the two states founded. Greece has continually exploited this friendship by expanding the boundary of her continental waters and disregarding the presence of Turks on Cyprus. Greek-Cypriots violated the constitution of the Cyprus Federal Republic and tried to annihilate the Turkish-Cypriot community with the incidents in 1963, 1967, and 1974. Turkey used her guarantorship powers stemming from international treaties during the 1974 Peace Operation. During the past 26 years there has been peace between the communities on Cyprus and the Island has not turned into aBosnia or a Kosovo as a result of the Turkish intervention. Over the course of these years, as the Turkish-Cypriot community was treated unfairly by the Western imperialist powers, the Greek-Cypriots became stronger. An improvement in Turco-Greek relations and a solution to the Cyprus problem are desired by all. However, from the statements of the Greek officials, it can be understood that there has been no change in their views. It should be realized that Turks are not a minority on Cyprus. They are an equal and respectable part of the whole society. The solution of the Cyprus problem should not be related to the membership of Turkey to the EU. If Turco-Greek relations are expected to improve, and the Cyprus problem solved, Turkey has to be strong. Therefore, she has to establish good relations with her neighbouring countries, and elevate her standards of democracy to that of modern states. Social justice, law, virtue and science should be the values prevalent in governing Turkey. A strong Turkey will be able to solve the Cyprus and Aegean problems with Greece fairly and equally."

GREEN LIGHT FROM THE EU - BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)

Former Ambassador Sukru Elekdag comments on the recent decision of the EU concerning Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "In evaluating the recent suggestion by the EU Commission, we should examine to what extent this decision coincides with the proposals and demands made by Ankara. Turkey's requests and suggestions can be seen in the letter Prime Minister Ecevit sent to the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder. Prime Mnister Ecevit's stance as declared in the letter can be summarized thus: If Turkey is granted candidacy status with no discrimination, she will fulfill the Copenhagen criteria before full-membership negotiations begin equal with the other countries. Turkey has to implement reforms in many areas in order to catch up with EU standards. She does not say she will immediately carry out these reforms but has expressed her determination to do so. A route map should be presented to Turkey giving a full-membership perspective and showing what she must do so as to reach this goal. Such an approach will lead to the acceleration of Turkey's efforts to elevate its legal system and its workings to EU standards and conclude social and democratic reforms, also covering the Southeast. Turkey's preliminary preparation strategy should be as effective as the countries before her in the line-up, and political support enhanced by financial resources should be provided with no pre-conditions. The Commission's decision covers all these points and is in parallel with Ecevit's demands and proposals. The important question is, whether this decision by the Commission will be accepted at the EU Summit in Helsinki or not. If the EU Commission's decision is accepted by the Helsinki Summit, Turkey will enter a new period in which she will have to work hard to make revolutionary decisions to catch up with the EU. During this period, a mechanism similar to those established for Central Europe and the Baltic countries should be formed, and an action plan which shows the way forward in integrating with the EU will be implemented. Turkey's performance in the working-out of the reform process will determine the date of the negotiations. The important question here is that the EU should fulfil its obligations by providing the necessary financial support Turkey needs. If the EU permits the tranfer of this financing to be vetoed by Greece, then Turkey's candidacy will remain on paper only. Ankara will inevitably react to such a situation."

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