DEMIREL: "TURKISH SOLDIERS ARE IN BOSNIA TO OFFER PEACE"

Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, on his official visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, yesterday travelled from Sarajevo to Zenica to visit the Turkish peacekeeping force in the area. In Zenica, Demirel was briefed by Col.Tevfik Ozkilic, the Commander of the Turkish peacekeeping force, about the work Turkish soldiers had been doing. After the briefing, Demirel said that Turkish soldiers had come to Zenica to fulfill the country's international responsibilities. Emphasizing the importance of stability and peace in the Balkans, Demirel said, "Turkey has an interest in seeing peace in the Balkans. This is the reason why our soldiers are here". Prime Minister Haris Sladzic of Bosnia-Herzegovina also made a brief speech after that of Demirel to thank both Turkey and her soldiers there. Following lunch with the soldiers, Demirel visited a number of historic locations in the city. The President and the delegation accompanying him returned to Ankara last night. /All papers/

PRISON RIOT ERUPTS IN ANKARA CLOSED CENTRAL PRISON

In the aftermath of Sunday's prison riot in Istanbul, a new prison riot began late yesterday in four cells of Ankara's Closed Central Prison, the Anatolia News Agency reports. According to information supplied by prison officials a fire erupted in a cell during unrest at the facility in which guards were reported to have been wounded. Security forces entered the prison to quell the riot. Ankara's Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Bekir Selcuk has also reportedly arrived at the prison.

BOSPHORUS: THREE ACCIDENTS IN ONE WEEK

Murat Zafer Cetintas, the head of the organization 'Eco-Warriors and the Environment', said that there had been three shipping accidents in the Bosphorus this week. He warned that if much-needed precautions were not taken, the city would face serious risks. /All papers/

BULGARIAN MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR IN ANKARA

Bulgarian Minister of the Interior Bogomil Bonev came to Turkey at the invitation of Turkish Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan. In a statement he made prior to his meeting with Tantan, Bonev said that relations between the Turkish and Bulgarian Governments were improving. Interior Minister Tantan thanked Bulgaria for sending search and rescue teams to Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster, and added that during the meeting of the two Ministers international terrorism, issued related to organized crime, drug trafficking, smuggling and problems encountered in commercial affairs were taken up. Tantan also noted that the security forces of two countries were working in close cooperation, the Anatolia News Agency reported.

ARD SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY

During its news broadcast, ARD, a German TV station, declared that Turkey's EU candidacy should be granted during the Helsinki Summit and expressed the view that Turkey was an important country for Germany. ARD stated that certain things were expected from Turkey concerning issues such as human rights, minority rights and a solution to the Cyprus problem. The station also pointed out the developments which have occurred in Turkey. /Milliyet/

LAST DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE BEFORE HELSINKI

As the Helsinki summit approaches, diplomatic traffic between the EU and Turkey is accelerating in order to pave the way for Turkey's candidacy. Turco-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chairman Daniel Cohn-Bendit is heading to Ankara on Wednesday for an exchange of views prior to the upcoming Summit. According to a statement from Commission Co-Chairman Kursat Eser, the visit is extremely important, coming as it does on the very eve of the Summit. The EU delegation is expected to be received by Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, who is responsible for human rights issues. /All papers/

HELSINKI SUMMIT DISCUSSED IN ISTANBUL

The Helsinki Summit was discussed at a symposium, "Turkey's General Vision, Policies and Strategies in the First Quarter of the 21st Century", organized by the War Academy yesterday. Retired Ambassador Cem Duna pointed out that countries in Europe, Asia and America are drawing closer together and that the possibility of enlarging the EU will be discussed at the Helsinki Summit. Stating that the membership process is high on Turkey's agenda, Duna indicated that the EU embodies a model of integration, not of cooperation. /All papers/

CYPRUS KNOT AT HELSINKI

Two days before the EU's Helsinki Summit, it has been declared that confirmation has been obtained from all the EU countries of Turkey's EU candidancy. However, Greece, which wants to guarantee the Greek-Cypriots' EU membership in Helsinki, has not given a definite response, although it declares: 'We are the country which most desires Turkey's candidacy`. Greece's attitude has been reacted to in many EU countries. Countries such as Belgium and Germany have also obtained France, Italy, Spain and Holland's support for their view that if Greece objects to Turkey's membership, negotiations with the Greek-Cypriots may be deadlocked. /Hurriyet/

ANNAN WARNS ATHENS OVER CYPRUS

As the talks between Turkish-Cypriot President Rauf Denktas and Greek-Cypriot Leader Glafkos Klerides in New York continue, it has been reported that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will warn Athens over Greek President Kostis Stefanopoulos' remarks about Cyprus. Denktas complained to Annan about a comment that Stefanopoulos had made saying that Cyprus was a Greek island and would remain so. Stefanopoulos also claimed that Cyprus was still under-going hellenization, even on December 1 -the very eve of the current talks. When asked if the Greek President's statement would have a negative effect on the talks, Denktas' answer was a confident 'no'. /All papers/

MESSAGE FROM ANKARA TO DENKTAS

According to the 'Haravgi' newspaper published in Southern Cyprus, Ankara has advised Turkish-Cypriot President Rauf Denktas to remain at the negotiating table until the Helsinki Summit. The newspaper claimed that the fate of the indirect talks in New York depended on the Helsinki Summit, during which a decision with reference to Turkey's EU candidacy will be taken. /Milliyet/

HARD TEXT FOR RAUF DENKTAS

Kofi Annan, host of the Cyprus indirect proximity talks, will present to Rauf Denktas a 'Cyprus Map` on the fourth day of the meetings. According to rumours within the UN circles, the map concerns new territorial arrangements; it is suggested that in addition to the fertile lands, Varosha would be granted to the Greek-Cypriots. In the proposal, the decrease of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)'s territory from 36% to 25% has been suggested. In the meantime, a UN official said that President Rauf Denktas had emphasized to Annan that in case of the acceptance of the Greek-Cypriots' EU membership, he would leave for Cyprus, cutting the indirect talks dead. /Hurriyet/

PAPANDREU: "WE ARE POSITIVE CONCERNING TURKEY'S CANDIDACY"

Greece's decision on whether or not to clear the path for Turkey's membership of the EU could hinge on whether their EU partners promise that Southern Cyprus' bid will not be linked to a resolution of the Island's current divided status, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu said yesterday. "The issue (of Greece's decision) is open and will be until the last minute", said Papandreu, who has led Greek talks with other EU members [Bprior to the EU Summit beginning on Friday in Helsinki, Finland. Turkey's candidacy is expected to be one of the main topics for discussion. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said his country recognized Greece's sensitivities over the Aegean, and pledged to adhere to EU regulations on such issues. "The EU has rules. We are fully aware of that and we are already adopting those rules" the Turkish daily paper 'Milliyet' quoted Cem as saying yesterday. Greece greeted the statement with cautious optimism. /All papers/

ROBERTSON: "TURKEY SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION"

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson has said that the EU, while seeking to establish the European Security and Defence Identity (AGSK) should take the aspect of the military talents of those NATO allies which are not EU members into consideration. Robertson spoke to the Belgian 'Le Soir' newspaper and said, "I do not think that the EU will compete with NATO by forming for itself a 'security identity'. This is nobody's wish. The EU might be involved in those operations that are not desired by NATO and the Alliance's European wing might gain power." /Turkiye/

DINI: "WE NEED TURKEY FOR THE EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE IDENTITY"

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamberto Dini, said that the EU was taking significant decisions concerning the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI). Dini further added, "The ESDI cannot be without Turkey as Turkey is Europe's strategic partner." Dini spoke to the 'Turkiye' newspaper and said, "The conditions in Helsinki will prove to be different to those of Luxemburg. Turkey has the greatest armed force in Europe and the Turkish contribution to the ESDI will be important. Turkey should be integrated into the EU. The ESDI cannot be built without Turkey which is an important country within the NATO perspective. Positive relations as part of cooperation are of the utmost importance for both parties." /Turkiye/

CANDIDACY 90% ALRIGHT

Britain has stated that it supports Turkey's candidacy to the EU; however, it warned that membership discussions should not start before the Copenhagen Criteria are formed. The British Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a press conference prior to the Helsinki Summit to supply information on its views of Turkey's candidacy. During the conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson said that their wish was to see Turkey as an EU candidate and that Turkey's candidacy to the EU would be approved in Helsinki. The speaker, stating that to exclude Turkey from the EU is an unhealthy and mistaken attitude, said, "Britain is in full support of Turkey's candidacy to the EU." The British Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robin Cook, delivered a speech in the House of Commons and said that he would support the acceptance of Turkey's candidacy to the EU during the Helsinki Summit. /Sabah/

SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS DEPENDS ON TURKEY

The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louis Michel, held a press conference after the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs' meeting and said, "If Turkey's candidacy to the EU is not officially recognized during the Helsinki Summit, then it would be an historic mistake. If Turkey's candidacy fails to be accepted, the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem will be hindered. Turkey should not be considered differently from the other candidates and the negativity experienced at the Luxemburg Summit should not be repeated." /Sabah/

AMERICA PUSHES FOR TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY

America is pushing for the granting of EU candidacy status to Turkey. After President Clinton's words on this topic during his visit to Turkey, an explanation of their support also came from the speaker of the American State Department, James Foley. Foley said, "America is not a member of the EU and these are decisions that will be taken solely by the EU. However, as President Clinton declared, Turkey should be a candidate to the EU. We support the EU's decision concerning Cyprus. However, I cannot make statements about our contact with EU members." /Sabah/

TUSIAD MEETING

The Turkish Industralists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) will hold its last 'Supreme Consultative Council` meeting of the year in Ankara today. During TUSIAD's cocktail party last night, two comments emerged: 'despite all its critics, the government should continue to serve, and President Demirel's term of office should be prolonged for five more years.` TUSIAD is going to declare those views to the public in its meeting today. Meanwhile, TUSIAD will publish advertisements in the European press which will promote Turkey before the Helsinki Summit in order to increase support for Turkey's candidacy. /Hurriyet/

STATE MINISTER CAY IN KYRGYZSTAN

State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay left for Kyrgyzstan yesterday as the official guest of Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev. Cay made a statement prior to his departure from Ankara's Esenboga Airport and said that during his visit, they would discuss the development of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of the economy and politics in particular. Cay stated that he would meet Akayev and Kyrgyz Prime Minister Amangeldi Muraliev and added that he would also come together with the Kyrgyz Finance and Industry Ministers. Cay remarked that he would hand over a letter from Turkish President Suleyman Demirel to Akayev. Cay and his accompanying delegation will return to Turkey on December 15, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

LUNCH INVITATION TO ECEVIT FROM THE EU

It was stated that the current EU President, Finland's Prime Minister Paavo Liponen, had sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on the 6th of December, which has reached Ankara. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the letter contained information about the Helsinki Summit that will be held on 10th and 11th December. In addition, it was written that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, had been invited to the lunch on 11th December for the representatives of all applicant countries. According to a Ministry statement: "The aim of the invitation is to present the opportunity of hearing first-hand the results of the discussions during the Summit." /Turkiye/

TURKEY REPROACHES MOSCOW

A personal obligation Turkey has called out for action to make it possible to re-open the path to a political solution in Chechnya. She blames the Russian military intervention for causing so much loss of life in Chechenya. In a written government statement issued by the Prime Minister's Press Centre, it was written that Turkey is deeply worried by the increasing signals that clashes causing many massacres in Chechnya are on to rise. In the statement, it was declared that Turkey considers the military operation in Chechnya to be an action that considers human rights worthless. In the statement, it was said, "We abhor this 'military solution', which abandons the seeking of a political solution and causes the deaths of many civilians. It can only be considered an attitude that values basic human rights at nothing, including the right to live, and we expect this path to be forsaken." /Turkiye/

FRENCH SHIP TO THE MARMARA SEA

The NATO working party in charge of examining the investigations into the results of the earthquake that occurred in Turkey, have come together in Brussels. The Dean of Istanbul Technical University's Mining Faculty and the Coordinator of TUBITAK's (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) Sea Research Programme, Prof. Dr. Naci Gorur, Deputy Chairman of TUBITAK Prof. Dr. Tugrul Tankut, French expert Prof. Dr. Xavier Lepichon, NATO's Coordinator for the Environment, Earth Sciences and Technology Programme, Dr. Alain Jubier and experts from Germany, the U.S.A. and the Czech Republic attended the meeting, chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General of NATO, Yves Syllard. It was stated that a French research vessel would be sent to the Marmara Sea if the EU can obtain support from the humanitarian aid fund, ECHO. /Turkiye/

THE BIGGEST BLOW TO TERRORISM

Four terrorists, who were involved in many bomb attacks, were captured during a raid on a DHKP-C cell. This raid was organized by the Anti-Terrorist Squad with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) /Turkiye/

OUR PRIDE IN ONURSAL

A Bilkent University lecturer, Prof. Dr. Levent Onural, has been elected the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers' (IEEE) Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Thus, for the first time within the 'Inventors' Institution', among whose founders are Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, a Turk has reached such a position. Onursal is the first Turkish Professor to become involved in the administration side of the IEEE. Onursal has achieved international fame, particularly with his contributions to digital video communication, and has produced more than 100 scientific publications. /Sabah/

CONFERENCE ON RECONSTRUCTION OF TURKEY

A conference on the 'Reconstruction of Turkey', sponsored by the Turco-American Business Council and some US firms, will take place in Washington D.C. on January 18, 2000. In a written statement, the US-based Equity International firm stated that the Conference, which will focus on reconstruction work in the quake-struck regions, aimed to repair the damage caused by the two major earthquakes which hit Turkey on August 17 and November 12. The statement noted that the World Bank had developed an urgent earthquake programme worth $1 billion following the August earthquake and the US Eximbank had provided a $1 billion loan. Beside public sector representatives, authorities from American, Turkish and European engineering and construction companies, the producers of prefabricated buildings and medical equipment and electricity suppliers are expected to attend the Conference, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

CORTUK: HONORARY CONSUL TO ROMANIA

Kamuran Cortuk, the Head of the Executive Board of the Bayindir Holding Company, and the Head of the Foreign Economic Relations Council's (DEIK) Turco-Romanian Business Council, has been elected Antalya's Honorary Consul to Romania by the Romanian State due to his contributions to Turco-Romanian relations and to the Romanian economy. /Aksam/

TUNNEL PROJECT UNDERWAY

The Minister of Transport, Enis Oksuz, said that the construction of a tunnel project in Istanbul would begin within a year. Oksuz stated that the tunnel project was envisaged to cost $1.8-2 billion and loans had been provided from Japan to cover these costs. He added, "The loans will be differed for 10 years and will be repaid over a term of 40 years. This is a great opportunity for Turkey". Oksuz remarked that the tunnel project was extremely important in easing traffic problems. /Cumhuriyet/

CUBAN CIGARS IN TURKEY

A decision has been enacted by the Supreme Planning Board to enable production of small Cuban cigars in Turkey. Accordingly, a new company entitled 'Tekel-Catec Joint Cigar Manufacture and Trade Company` will be established. The cigars produced will be marketed by Catec's outlets and, in three years, the manufacture of Cuban cigars will continue by harvesting its tobacco in Turkey. /Hurriyet/

COMMENT ON TURKISH ECONOMY FROM FINANCIAL TIMES

The famous Western newspaper the 'Financial Times` issued an article on the Turkish economy. It said that Turkey would change her foreign currency policy and would reconstruct four or five banks which are currently experiencing some problems. It is also stated, "The present Ecevit government is the best among those of the last ten years in Turkey which may implement the IMF's programme". /Hurriyet/

EGS BANK IN COLOGNE

The second foreign branch of EGS Bank, following the one opened in Malta, began to serve the public in Cologne yesterday. Pointing out that Cologne was one of the large financial and trade centres in Europe, EGS Bank's General Director Kubilay Kirman said, "EGS Bank has become one of those which undertakes all international banking transactions thanks to its branches abroad." /Hurriyet/

GOVERNMENT'S INFLATION TARGET FOR 1999

Recep Onal, the State Minister responsible for the economy, said yesterday that the government's inflation target for 1999 would deviate from their target, rising by 10 percentage points due to the devastating August 17 earthquake. On the day of the "KOBI 2000" Summit at the World Trade Centre in Ankara, Onal said that transparency and credibility are two basic components of the government's economic programme. He added that the Central Bank will announce its monetary and foreign exchange programmes in the near future. "The full text of the stand-by deal with the IMF will be published on the Internet once it is signed", he confirmed. /All papers/

GOVERNMENT TO INVITE BID FOR ISDEMIR

The Turkish government's privatization administration will accept bids for state steel company Iskenderun Demir Celik Fabrikalari (ISDEMIR) up to January 15 at the latest. The company's general manager, Necip Ebegil, said yesterday, "ISDEMIR will be privatized by January 15". /All papers/

EXIMBANK LOANS UP 63 %

Turkish Eximbank General Director Ahmet Kilicoglu said that Eximbank loans had risen by 63 % to 1.2 quadrillion TL in the year to November, the Anatolia News Agency reports. He added that 2,100 small and medium-scale enterprises benefit from Eximbank loans. Eximbank provided $6.7 billion in export loans in 1999, equal to 25 % of Turkey's total export figures, Kilicoglu announced.

DRAW FOR 2002 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION

Turkish soccer administrators and players were well satisfied with the draw for World Cup qualification made in Tokyo yesterday. In the European zone, Turkey was drawn in Group 4 together with Sweden, Slovakia, Macedonia, Azerbaijan and Moldova. The winners of the nine groups qualify automatically for the finals in Japan and South Korea in 2002. Eight of the runners-up will face playoffs against one another while the ninth will play off against a team from the Asian zone. Qualifying matches kick off in March 2000 and will conclude in November 2001. /All papers/

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

THE HELSINKI SUMMIT BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Erol Manisali discusses the possible effect of the Helsinki Summit's outcome on Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "At the Luxembourg Summit in 1997, the EU imposed conditions on Turkey concerning the Southeast of the country and Turco-Greek relations. Such stipulations were not exacted on any country prior to this. Justifiably, Ankara rejected these impositions as Brussels had treated Turkey like an old African or Asian colony. Today, at the Helsinki Summit the candidacy of Turkey will be approved but certain requirements will be put before Turkey in expectation that she will fulfil them. These are not the Copenhagen criteria, but the political burdens rejected in 1997. Greece is bargaining with 14 European countries on the subject. She claims that if these 14 countries do not uphold these conditions she may veto Turkey's candidacy. The 14 countries are trying to figure out how to write these provisos into the Helsinki declarations without hurting Turkey's feelings. The report on the EU's new expansion policy published in October 1999 clearly revealed that Turkey's nomination does not have any bearing on full-membership. In the report, it was stated that even if the candidate country had completed its homework, if the acceptance of this candidate into the EU creates economic, social and political problems, full-membership negotiations could not be started. Candidacy does not have any significance in considering the issue of full-membership. We have to prepare our homework for ourselves, and for our people as this does not concern the EU in the slightest. The EU is aware that if it grants membership to Turkey, all the social, political, economic and cultural balances will be upset. Turkey is too big a morsel for the EU to swallow. Why should it burden itself with such a heavy load? Turkey signed the Ankara agreement in 1963 when the EEC comprised of only six countries. This was followed by others culminating in the signing of the agreement for transition to full-membership. However, when the EU decided against taking her into the Union, she was left out in the cold. In all the reports prepared by Brussels over the last 10 years this fact can be observed. Now, they are going to grant Turkey candidacy but at the same time burden her with many impossible political obligations."

OPEN LETTER TO GREEK PRIME MINISTER BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)

Columnist Hasan Cemal writes on the Helsinki Summit and the decision of the EU concerning Turkey's candidacy. A summary of his column is as follows: "Just before the Helsinki Summit the rope is tight. Greek Prime Minister Simitis is trying to pull it tighter. The foundations of Turkey's expectations are unstable. The Helsinki lobby has slipped towards the Berlin-Athens line. That is to say, Germany is trying to find a way to convince Athens to prevent the publishing of an outcome at Helsinki which may be rejected by Turkey. It can also be said that all the channels of secret diplomacy are open, and the traffic is busy. However, there are no signals as yet that Simitis has come to the point of accepting the desired goal. It can be presumed that Athens is trying to dictate certain special provisos concerning the Greek-Cypriot Administration and the Aegean to accepting Turkey's candidacy. Therefore, Simitis is pulling the rope tight; however, he does not intend to break it. What will happen if the Helsinki Summit closes as the Luxembourg Summit did without granting candidacy status to Turkey? First of all, Greece's image as 'a spoilsport country' will be strengthened and her relations with the US will be adversely affected. The exclusion of Turkey would not bring Simitsb any gains in the eyes of the Greek public. What is more, the situation on Cyprus and in the Aegean will not improve. That is to say, Turco-Greek relations would be pulled back to their old status, to a tense, conflicting level. Can all these negative elements help PASOK leader Simitis to win next year's elections or would they rather help to strengthen the hands of the Greek Opposition both within and outside the party? At this stage, the national interest of Greece lies in entering European Monetary Union. Greece has not been able to fulfil the conditions required by the Monetary Union even though she is a member. Simitis has launched serious structural changes in the Greek economy with this purpose in mind. He is tightening belts and implementing austerity measures, trying to get his country into the monetary union and end Greece's bad luck. He is trying to achieve total integration with the EU. He believes that with a strong economy his country will overcome its lack of confidence faced with Turkey. If Simitis paves the way to a Helsinki Summit whose conditions Turkey will reject, it will reflect badly on him. Therefore, tightening the rope up to the last minute is dangerous, as it may break. It would be a pity if the rapprochement which began with the talks between Foreign Minister Cem and Greek Foreign Minister Papandreu, and continued due to the earthquake, is endangered. Mr. Simitis, if the rope is broken, what kind of leverage would you have left in your hands to use against Turkey? "

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