TURKEY: EUROPEAN NOMINEE

The European Parliament, at its on-going general board meetings, has accepted a resolution and expressed its views on those subjects, which will be taken up at the Helsinki Summit. The Parliament, in the articles of the resolution which relate to Turkey, has confirmed the fact that 'Turkey has the right to be a candidate for full EU membership', and in two separate paragraphs Turkey was entitled 'candidate country'. Meanwhile, the Parliament has turned down an amendment proposal asking Turkey to accept the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights Court and not to execute Ocalan, and stated that at the Helsinki Summit Turkey's nomination to the EU could not be connected to the Ocalan case. /Cumhuriyet/

SIMITIS: WE VETO

Five hours after the European Parliament's declaration, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis emphasized harshly the Greek view that in the case of no 'definite attitude` from the EU towards Turkey concerning the Cyprus and Aegean issues, they would reject the Turkey's candidancy application. Simitis declared his views after his meeting with EU Term President Finland's Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen. /Milliyet/

GOVERNMENT APPROVED NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS

The approval of the construction of nuclear power stations, to which environmentalists have been opposed for years, has emerged from the coalitian government leaders' summit following the natural gas crisis. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that research concerning the power stations will be completed this month. Meanwhile, Democratic Left Party (DLP) deputy Hakan Tartan and his 22 colleauges has requested an 'Parliamentary Investigation` in order to examine the compliance of the current energy policies with the country's interests. During his speech at the DLP group meeting, DLP deputy Zafer Guler urged the rejection of nuclear energy. /Cumhuriyet/

AEGEAN SHADOW OVER HELSINKI

Yesterday, Greece sent Turkey a note of protest claiming that Turkey had recently infringed on Greek air space. One week before the Helsinki Summit, Greece has asserted that in the last few days infringements of airspace have increased; Athens commented on those as an indicator of Turkey's designs on Greek territory. /Cumhuriyet/

HARD SUMMIT FOR CYPRUS

The indirect negotiations between the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas, and the Leader of the Greek-Cypriot Administration are starting today under the supervision of the UN. The delegation of ten persons is staying at the New York Palace Hotel. Klerides is staying in another hotel near to Denktas' with a delegation of 20 persons comprising of land registration, ownership and mapping experts and representatives of various political parties. The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will meet Denktas and then Klerides. Annan's Special Representative to Cyprus, Alfred de Soto will direct the meetings. The parties will give their opinions to UN personnel and the parties will not be informed about each other's seperate talks. /Aksam/

COOPERATION IN SOUTHERN EUROPE

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, attended the Foreign Ministers' meeting for Southern Europe and said that after the initiation of "Good Neighbourliness Stability, Security and Cooperation in South Europe", the foundations of a common understanding and work had become offical. Cem stated that this meeting is very important for Turkey and further added, "In addition, the issue of Kosovo was discussed. The Turkish group in particular has many problems in Kosovo." /Cumhuriyet/

ECEVIT: "WE ARE SUCCESSFUL"

The Prime Minister and Leader of the Democratic Left Party, Bulent Ecevit, stating that none of those hit by the earthquake is obliged to stay in the tents, said, "After the visit that I paid to the area yesterday, I was proud of our nation and state." Ecevit delivered a speech during his party's group meeting and talked about his tour of the camps in which the earthquake survivors were settled. Ecevit further added, "A total of 40,634 beds in Antalya, Aydin, Balikesir, Bursa, Icel, Mugla and Izmir were released for the use of the earthquake victims. The only problem for those who are being housed in public establishments is their future. After relaxing in these summer houses, they are thinking about what the future will hold. Our State is considering how to help them by the setting-up of some courses in order to give them work and prepare them for the future." /Turkiye/

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Nowadays, one of the subjects which engages Turkish political interest is the selection of the Turkish Republic's 10th President, following the completion of Suleyman Demirel's seven-year term in office in May 2000. While debates on how to carry out the selection, by public or TGNA are on-going, for the time being, four names have come forward as nominees: Suleyman Demirel, Cevik Bir, Dogan Gures and Necmettin Erbakan. /Milliyet/

ERSUMER: "PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT IS NECESSARY"

The Minister of Energy and Natural Sources, Cumhur Ersumer, stating that there is indeed an energy deficit, said, "We must make additional investments with the support of the private sector. In order not to be confronted with the same problem each year, amendments to the International Arbitration Law have been sent to the TGNA for approval, and they will be implemented as soon as possible. We are expecting the demand for energy to increase to 200 billion kilowatts in the year 2005, 300 billion kilowatts in the year 2010 and 565 billion kilowatts during the year 2020. In order to manage this situation effectively, we should add nearly 87,000 kilowatts to our capacity. Not only the Blue Stream venture, but also the Turkmen natural gas scheme will help us a great deal." /Sabah/

"TAKE PRECAUTION"

Officials involved in the RADIUS Project, to which 100 countries subscribe and which began as part of the United Nations' "Disaster-Prevention Decade", have warned Turkey. In statements to the 'Cumhuriyet' newspaper, the chairman of RADIUS, Kenji Okazaki, and Dr. Phillippe Masure, the man responsible for the Project's Izmir, Africa, Middle Eastern and East European regions, notified Turkey that a third earthquake is very likely to occur in the Marmara Region. In order to make the cities safer, Turkey should act quickly. Early warning systems are not enough of a solution; in order to decrease the effects of the earthquake, an "action plan" should be prepared. Strategic buildings such as hospitals and crisis centres, water and communications should be strengthened. In addition, officials remarked on the implementation of the present laws and cooperation between state scientists, local administrations and the public. /Cumhuriyet/

SCIENTISTS: "BE PREPARED FOR ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE"

World-wide famous scientists, who have come together on Istanbul Technical University's campus in Macka for an 'earthquake conference' that will last for five days, stated that following their research, they had reached the conclusion that another earthquake registering almost 7.7 on the Richter scale might occur in the Marmara region. Scientists further added, "It is impossible to predict the exact time of the earthquake but it is certain to occur. The important thing is to take all precautions necessary." /Cumhuriyet/

WORLD DISABILITY DAY

World Disability Day is going to be celebrated today in Turkey and throughout the whole world with various events. The Turkish Blind Persons' Federation is organizing a march on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul. Disabled public workers will be off today. /Milliyet/

MOBILE PHONE FROM ASELSAN

Turkey's biggest national electronics company Aselsan, has managed to produce one of the lightest and advanced mobile phones in the world. About three years ago, Aselsan produced the first Turkish mobile phone, named 'Aselsan 1919`. The company has begun to produce the 'Aselsan 1920` which is of a better design and is more practical than the previous one. /Milliyet/

LABEL INDUSTRIALISTS MET

The Association of Label Manufacturers have gathered for their first seminar. Under Raftac, a Finnish firm which heads the Association, and their representative in Turkey, Finex, those attending were briefed on the sticky products. The Association have set out their targets so as to achieve 8% growth in the year 2000. /Sabah/

SINGER EBRU GUNDES IN HOSPITAL

Famous Turkish singer Ebru Gundes, who collapsed and was taken to the Metropolitan Florence Nightingale Hospital, is now in intensive care following two operations by Prof. Dr. Cengiz Kuday, the Head of Istanbul University's Department of Neurology. /Cumhuriyet/

AWARD FOR TURKAN SORAY FROM ITALY

The Rome Film Festival's biggest award, 'Gramel Prix', will be given to Turkish actress Turkan Soray. Soray, who will receive her award during the ceremony on 9th December, said that she was delighted. Soray will be the first Turkish film actress to be invited to Italy and awarded for her achievements in the cinema. Italians consider Soray to be an exceptionally successful actress. /Sabah/

PROF. DR. YASARGIL ELECTED 'MAN OF THE CENTURY'

The American Brain Surgeons' Union has elected the world-famous brain surgeon Prof. Dr. Gazi Yasargil 'Man of the Century'. 'Neurosurgery', and important and well-respected publication, put him on the cover of its November issue. The magazine used 81 pages to cover Prof. Dr. Gazi Yasargil; his biography and the foremost innovations that he brought to brain surgery were written about with admiration and respect. Prof. Dr. Gazi Yasargil shared the 'man of the century' award with Prof. Dr. Harvey Cushing. Cushing marked the first half of the century, whereas Yasargil became the most important scientist of the second half of the century. /Hurriyet/

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

EUROPE CAUTIOUS ON JUSTICE BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)

Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the process towards candidacy prior to the Helsinki Summit. A summary of her column is as follows: "As happened during the process before all the important meetings prior to the Customs Union Agreement, Turkey's candidacy is much discussed in Europe. Last night,in briefing the Parliament on his Term-Presidency, the Finnish Prime Minister stated that it was very hard to begin negotiations with 12 candidate countries at the same time. He added that such talks should be carried out according to the capabilities of each candidate country. Even though he did not mention other countries by name, the Finnish Prime Minister talked about Turkey and said, "The aim of our Presidency has been to enhance relations with Turkey, and we believe that we have been able to achieve this goal.I hope the EU will grant 'candidacy' status to Turkey. The EU may be of use in aiding Turkey's compliance with the Copenhagen criteria." The first sign of dscussions on Turkey's nomination came from the European Parliament (EP). Its decision is of significance as it constitutes a recommendation to the Council of Europe for the Helsinki Summit. There have been various suggestions made in the Parliament, some of which have been rejected. One of them was Daniel Cohn-Bendit's proposal to link Turkey's candidacy status to the execution of Ocalan. Another was to determine the boundaries of Europe in Helsinki. These are positive developments but it should also be known that the call to accord Turkey this official status was also not accepted. This shows that candidacy status will not be awarded to Turkey very easily. The European Parliament's decision is an important step, but the real picture will be seen at the meeting of Foreign Ministers in Brussels. The step taken by the European Parliament also shows how the road to candidacy is full of obstacles. The text which openly referred to Turkey's nomination also said that, as Turkey did not conform with the Copenhagen criteria she could not begin membership negotiations. Improvements in human rights, especially for minorities, is required of Turkey; a route map is sugeested for all these improvements. Briefly, it can be said that in its first signal Europe is considering to Turkey's 'homework'. The countdown to Helsinki has started. As Europe is trying to reach a decision, Turkey has to review her own. Is a partnership with Europe adopted as a social project? Relations with Europe are determined by political will within a country. Finding a compromise while defending her own interests within the 'partnership' concept of Europe constitutes political will. Turkey's membership the EU depends not only on the EU's verdict but also on Turkey's own resolution."

ECEVIT'S REACTION TO EUROPE BY EMIN PAZARCI (AKSAM)

Columnist Emin Pazarci comments on the decision of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the death sentence passed on Ocalan. A summary of his column is as follows: "Following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights concerning Ocalan, Turkey has entered a period of waiting. First, silence prevailed on the issue. The coalition partners evaded questions on the subject. Finally, Prime Minister Ecevit conveyed his regrets and reaction to Europe. To a question on his thoughts concerning the ECHR's decision which was announced before all legal the processes had come to an end, Ecevit replied that it did not become the members of the European Union to weigh Turkey on the same scale as a terrorist organization. He added that EU members were giving statements which meant pressurizing Turkey, without thinking how it would be judged by the Turkish public. Answering questions, Ecevit stated that European countries were leading Turkey to take up a negative position over the matter as they did not know how proud Turkish people were. Replying to whether this could be viewed as provocation or not, Ecevit answered positively but stressed that the word 'provocation' was not used by himself. He also added that terrorism had been dealt a harsh blow, and from now on, economic and social measures would be taken to develop the region worst-hit by terrorism. Prime Minister Ecevit was cautious on Turkey's candidacy to the EU. He said much would depend upon the Greek stance and added that the number of members who believed that there could not be a Europe without Turkey had increased. However, he was not sure if Greece would use her power of veto. Prime Minister Ecevit explained that he was in favour of the election of the President by the Parliament. On the subject of energy, Prime Minister Ecevit said that 'Blue Stream' was an important venture as it would mean that natural gas would reach Turkey directly from Russia. He also added that investments in energy which had been neglected for some time, had to be speeded up.

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