PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN IGDIR

President Suleyman Demirel visited the province of Igdir and inspected the Holocaust Monument and Museum. The President was accompanied by General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and Forces' commanders. Demirel congratulated Governor Omer Turk on the monument which was constructed using citizens' donations. /Aksam/

POWER CUTS RETURNS

Since Nov. 24, when the volume of natural gas, arriving from Russia, dropped from 27 million to 20 million cubic metres a great energy crisis has emerged. Countries through which Russian natural gas passes-Moldovia, the Ukraine and Bulgaria- have siphoned it off. Production at power stations in Bursa, Ambarli and Hamidabat has stopped and power cuts will be enforced three hours daily; Ankara, Bursa and Istanbul are the cities most affected by the crisis. /Milliyet/

VIEWS OF MINISTER IRTEMCELIK

The State Minister responsible for Human Rights, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, has expressed the view that Turkey has a hard road to to climb on the way to EU. Stressing that Turkey ought to move very quickly to fill in the gaps on the issue of her human rights record, and he underlined that she had to be realistic at the same time. Irtemcelik stated that Turkey's candidacy to Europe would necessarily pass through difficult stages; the country had to stay poised and cool during this period. Noting that the Helsinki Summit would be an important milestone on the road to candidacy, the Minister said, "Turkey's expectations should be met but candidacy is not something to be given as a gift. There should be no discrimination at the Helsinki Summit, where the candidacy issue will be discussed." Irtemcelik also declared that he was against capital punishment. He further explained that Ocalan, although he had inflicted great damage on Turkey, would cause even greater destruction if his sentence were carried out. He viewed the question of abolishing capital punishment as a requirement to becoming a candidate of the Europan Union. Irtemcelik moreover commented on the expectation of a gesture from Turkey by Greece, and said that imposing such conditions would weigh down relations between Turkey and Greece. /Milliyet/

ECHR TO ANNOUNCE DECISION ON OCALAN CASE

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is expected to make an announcement today of its decision on the execution of Ocalan's death sentence. In the case of a ruling suspending the death sentence, Turkey will be asked to postpone the execution until the completion of the judicial procedures. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Finland, the Term President of the EU, Paavo Lipponen said that the execution of Ocalan would hinder Turkey's entrance to the EU. /Aksam/

U.S.A.'S STATE DEPARTMENT'S SPOKESMAN TO TURKEY: "EXECUTION IS TURKEY'S DECISION ALONE"

The U.S.A.'s State Department Spokesman in Turkey, James Rubin, stated that the death sentence that was handed down to the chief of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, was an issue that concerns the Turkish legal system, the Turkish Parliament and the Turkish President alone. "In order to enforce the decision, first the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and then President Suleyman Demirel have to approve the verdict. The judgement concerning the death sentence might then be considered by the European Court of Human Rights. It would not be right to issue further interpretations as part of the legal process", said Rubin. /Turkiye/

ECEVIT: "NO COMPROMISE"

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has declared that the Greek demands concerning the Helsinki Summit, the Aegean and Cyprus are the EU's problems. "Turkey will not compromise either over the Aegean or Cyprus. Therefore, we will see Greece's reaction due to her pressure on Turks over Cyprus and also whether or not this pressure will continue following the EU's decisions." /Turkiye/

CEM TO VISIT THE BALKANS

The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, will visit Macedonia tomorrow and then Romania. It was said in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Cem will go to Macedonia on the invitation of the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aleksandr Dimitrov, in order to open the Harabati Baba Dervish Lodge Fountain, which has been undergoing restoration since last April. During his visit, Cem will also exchange opinions on the state of relations between Macedonia and Turkey. Then Cem will leave for Romania with the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs in order to attend the meeting of Foreign Ministers in the South Eastern European Countries Cooperation Process. /Turkiye/

FRANCE TURNED BACK TO TURKEY

France, which is known to be the country with the closest views to those of Turkey, has changed its policies over the Greek-Cypriot Administration's full EU membership. A group of countries, led by England, defends the view that following negotiations, Cyprus should be included in the Union, whereas countries such as Italy and Spain claim that a Cyprus which is divided and having problems as yet unsolved, might cause difficulties within the EU. France, previously the greatest supporter of Turkey within the EU, has changed its policy whereas it was pro the views of Italy and Spain in the past. Turkey thinks that the acceptance of Cyprus in advance of herself may cause a more negative situation in Ankara-EU relations. /Cumhuriyet/

INTERVIEW WITH DENKTAS

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Rauf Denktas, has issued some important signals concerning the Cyprus issue. In an interview he gave to the "Turkiye" newspaper, Denktas called on Greek-Cypriot Administration leader Klerides to show his real face to the world, and saying that he would not deceive anyone with false smiles. President Denktas reiterated that he was going to New York to defend his State and, therefore, he felt at ease. He said that he was going to explain the "confederation" solution as one state to another. He would evaluate any proposals conveyed to him through the UN Secretary- General, and he added that he knew he had Turkey's support backing him up. All Denktas asked of the Greek-Cypriot Administration was to evaluate the confederation solution with the awareness that it is constructive. He went on to say that the problem did not lie in the fact that there was a dispute between the two communities on the island but that one of the communities was governing in a stronger position. Balance could not be established unless the governing side stated that it was not the sole government of the whole Island including the Turkish-Cypriots. He added that unless the situation were stabilized, the road to peace could not be made clear./Turkiye/

GENERAL CEVIK BIR: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Retired General Cevik Bir attended a gathering arranged by the Rumelia Administrators' and Businessmen's Association. During his speech, Gen. Bir stressed that Turkey would be the centre of the 21st century. Emphasizing that Turkey's 'European-ness' due to her state structure, history and geography, Gen. Bir said, "It is compulsary for Turkey to enter European organizations." Gen. Cevik Bir replied to questions on his candidacy for President, posed by journalists: "yes". He also pointed out that he was in favour of the selection of the President by the public. /Aksam/

WINTER-HIT EARTHQUAKE REGION

This time the earthquake survivors are striving to live in the face of the cold. Those in Bolu are spending the nights in their tents shivering due to temparatures of about -10 degrees. Meanwhile, fires have become a new nightmare for the people; in tents, yesterday, again fires blew out, causing the death of two babies and one old woman in Izmit and Gebze. /Aksam/

WARM HOUSE TO THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

The earthquake victims who have been living in tent cities after the earthquake that occurred on 17th August, will be given the keys to their new homes today. The Minister of Public Works and Settlement, Koray Aydin, said that the government had kept its promise that it would hand over the prefabricated houses by 30th November. In Yalova, 98% of 5,214 houses have been completed and only the fitting-out of 168 houses is still underway. The installation of the electricity supply in the other houses has already been completed." Turkiye/

CILLER TO SLEEP IN TENT

The leader of the True Path Party (DYP), Tansu Ciller, will check if the prefabricated houses, made ready by the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement, have been . Ciller will go to the earthquake-hit region with her staff and sleep in the tents. During a press conference that was held yesterday, Ciller said, "We are preparing for the period after 30th November. We will sleep in the tents and see who is in trouble. We will share in the problems of the public with them." /Sabah/

BLOWS TO TERRORISTS

Security forces are continuing to hit the terrorists with their successful raids. During clashes, five more terrorists were killed in the Kulp district of Diyarbakir. The Governorship of the State of Emergency Region stated that the raids were being carried out nonstop in the region. /Aksam/

800 BILLION OF NARCOTICS SEIZED

One hundred and twenty-seven packages, each of them weighing a kilo, were found during an excavation, following a tip-off, at a summer-house in the Yeniciftlik district of Tekirdag. Aydin Uzyurtlu was detained concerning the narcotics, whose street-value amounts to 800 billion TL. Two people are still being investigated. /Sabah/

TURKEY THROUGH GREEK DIPLOMAT'S LENS

Michael B. Christides is a Greek diplomat, Undersecretary to the Ambassador at the Greek Embassy in Ankara, and who is an admirer of Turkey. Christides, who has been working in Turkey since 1996, has taken many photographs of the country and is opening his first personal exhibition tomorrow. The exhibition entitled "Pictures from my Turkey" will be in Cankaya Municipality's Ankara Contemporary Arts Cultural Centre. Proceeds from the sale of the photographs will be donated to the earthquake victims. /Sabah/

"TRNC WILL KEEP ON BEING A COUNTRY OF CULTURE"

The Turkish Minister of National Education, Metin Bostancioglu, has met the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' (TRNC) Minister of National Education and Culture, Mehmet Altinay. During the meeting, Bostancioglu stated, "The TRNC built up a healthy education and economic structure in a very short period of time. The TRNC is a country of education and culture and it will never lose this characteristic." /Cumhuriyet/

AWARD FOR ALKENT ISTANBUL

Alkent 2000's house, the interior of which was designed by the American architecture Karen Butera, received "The Most Successful Design in the World" award at a competition that was held in the U.S.A., and it was invited to the Final to receive the award. The Alkent 2000 house, which will attend the award ceremony in January, will compete during the Final for the "Golden Award". /Turkiye/

HUGE COOPERATION ON THE INTERNET

The Dogan Media Group (DMG) has taken a huge step in order to establish the biggest Internet network in Turkey and signed an agreement with Nortel Networks-Netas, Compaq and Microsoft. The Chairman of the Dogan Media Group, Mehmet Ali Yalcindag, delivered a speech during the signing ceremony and said, "The Dogan Media Group is taking new steps forward in the media, telecommunications and the cyber-world. During the 21st century, we are going to speed up investments, which will bring the individual to the fore. Synergy will be created business areas in which we are active with new investments in digital TV, cable television, the Internet and telecommunications." /Hurriyet/

9TH ISTANBUL ART FAIR TO OPEN TODAY

The 9th ARTIST'99-Istanbul Art Fair, which was organized jointly by TUYAP and the Association of Art Gallerys, is opening today. The Fair will be open to the public until 5th December at TUYAP's Istanbul Exhibition Palace. This year during the Art Fair, the "Artlover's Institution Award" will be given to the Eczacibasi Holding Company, the "Collectors' Institution Prize" will be awarded to the Republic of Turkey's Central Bank, and the "Critique Honor Award" will be presented to Mehmet Erguven. During the auction that will be held on 4th December, in addition to the works of two artists selected from the galleries, the Turkish artists also will be able to put their works in the auction; 50% of the income from the sale will be donated to the earthquake victims. /Cumhuriyet/

SIGNALS: TURKEY'S CREDIT RATING INCREASE

After Turkey agreed to sign the stand-by agreement with the IMF, the first signal that Turkey's rating might be increased came from one of the international rating establishments, Fitch-IBCA, whose centre is in London. Fitch-IBCA's analyst in Turkey, Neil Wigan, evaluated the Turkish economy and Turkey's credit mark and said, "The fact that Turkey agreed on the signing of the stand-by agreement with the IMF is a very important step in terms of Turkey's rating. Carrying out what is involved with the stand-by agreement is as important as the stand-by itself." /Turkiye/

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

TOWARDS HELSINKI BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)

Columnist Derya Sazak comments on the decisions which need to be taken before the Helsinki Summit. A summary of his column is as follows: "The Helsinki Summit which will convene in December will be the start of Turkey's "candidacy" for the European Union. However there is one question: how will the decision concerning Ocalan affect these relations? Will the Ocalan case become more important than Greek reservations over Cyprus and the Aegean and her expectations of a gesture from Turkey? What is more, will the Turkish Grand National Assembly dare to abolish capital punishment so as to elevate her legal structure to modern humane standards without being affected by foreign influences? Irtemcelik was at ease as he was dealing with these questions over the period of a week; he is trying to be as open and above-board as he can. On the subject of Ocalan, he is of the opinon that carrying out the death penalty for Ocalan would not serve in Turkey's interests. Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik noted that he, personally, was against capital punishment but believes that Ocalan is the one person who deserves this sentence more than anyone else. However, he says that, notwithstanding this fact, the issue should be viewed with a cool head. Will the composition of the present Turkish Parliament be able to abolish capital punishment without forming any link with the sentence passed on Ocalan? Won't it be easier to sign the sixth protocol abolishing the death sentence? We understand from Irtemcelik's statement that there are many subjects of concern such as improvements to the Eight Article of the Anti-Terrorism Law, the 312th Article of the Turkish Penal Code, the Law concerning the trial of civil servants, and having books collected from stands. If the Helsinki Summit imposes more conditions instead of accepting Turkey's candidacy, the democratization efforts seen today will be delayed. We hope that the EU does not repeat the same mistake as at Luxembourg."

DENKTAS SHOULD NOT BE ABANDONED BY KENAN AKIN (TURKIYE)

Columnist Kenan Akin writes on Denktas' visit to the US. A summary of his column is as follows: "As Rauf Denktas, the unyielding fighter of the Cyprus case, begins his visit to the US today, there is a tense atmosphere prevailing. First of all, the Turkish general public fears that Denktas will be deceived. Denktas received a team from the "Turkiye" newspaper prior to his departure and stated to them that he did not feel any tension and there was no question of his being deceived. We are doubtful because even though the proximity talks are not direct, we feel that there are many traps being laid before Denktas. Therefore, we have to show that President Denktas is not alone and Turkey is standing behind him. President Suleyman Demirel showed this support in Isparta, but we have to state that Turkey is watching the talks in new York closely and supporting Rauf Denktas with all her might and mechanisms. It should also be stressed that Turkey will not relinquish her legal rights over the Island. Most importantly, no-one from the press or other circles should talk of any concessions. It should not be forgotten that a concession on Cyprus would lead to developments threatening Turkey's security. We want to recall that it should be our duty and national policy to support Denktas now more than at any other time."

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