TURKEY IS HOPEFUL FOR THE YEAR 2000

Having hit terrorism and having left the shock of the earthquake disasters behind, Turkey is welcoming the new Millennium enthusiastically. The target of the coalition government, which is working harmoniously, is to decrease the inflation rate to single digits; the business world is fully supporting the Central Bank's programme. While the 'Dec. 9 decisions` have received a positive reaction, an important amount of funding will be ensured with the stand-by agreement which is expected to be signed with the IMF this month. Turkey's borrowing will increase under the auspices of international financial establishments and already, a 10-billion-dollar loan package has been decided on. /Turkiye/

UNITED NATIONS ACKNOWLEDGES TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

For the first time since its March 1964 deployment on Cyprus, the U.N. Peacekeeping Force on Cyprus (UNFICYP) will soon start to operate in the Northern part of the Island in accordance with an agreement between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the United Nations - a development tantamount to U.N. acknowledgement of the Turkish-Cypriot State. The U.N. Security Council, in a carefully-worded and refined resolution on Wednesday, unanimously approved the routine six-monthly renewal of the UNFICYP deployment until June 15, 2000. The United States, which drafted the text, took particular pains to avoid complicating the so-called "proximity talks" which the leaders of the Greek-and Turkish-Cypriots had had with U.N. officials before adjourning on Tuesday until some time in late January. Resolutions renewing the mandate of the UNFICYP usually contain elements that the Turkish-Cypriots reject, such as references to "the government of Cyprus", which they do not recognize as having jurisdiction over the entire Island. /Turkish Daily News/.

"THE TRUTH OF TWO STATES CANNOT BE IGNORED"

When the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, returned from the indirect Cyprus negotiations held in New York, he met with the Turkish Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit. During the meeting, the Prime Minister said, "Turkey's stand concerning the TRNC has not changed", and he repeated this decleration once more during the meeting of his party's parliamantery group. "If the truth of the TRNC is not ignored or if the EU desists from deceiving itself, then reaching an agreement over Cyprus will be easier. Denktas came back from New York with some very positive impressions of the talks. There must not be the slightest doubt that we will maintain our determined position." Furthermore, the President of the TRNC, Rauf Denktas, suggested that if Turkey becomes an EU member, then Turkey's rights as gurantor over Cyprus should be approved by the EU. He further added that if the EU does this, then they will knock on the doors of the EU for admittance. /Aksam/

"HELSINKI DECLERATION IS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT"

The leaders of the opposition parties in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were pleased by the Cyprus negotiations. The leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Serdar Denktas, said that the Cypriot Turk has come out as the winner both in terms of the indirect talks and the EU's final communique from Helsinki. "The solution depends on both sides and this will become more certain after January. The decleration resulting from Helsinki in which Turkey was granted EU candidacy, is a 'very important development'. The Cypriot Turks are not outside the issue, instead they are the key to the issue. Therefore, we should make good use of this opportunity", said Serdar Denktas. /Aksam/

SCHROEDER: 'WE REPAIRED THE DAMAGE OF LUXEMBOURG IN HELSINKI`

During his speech in Parliament, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder declared, "Turkey was not excluded in Helsinki. Membership status doesn't solely interest Turks in Germany but also the whole of European democracy. The damage caused in Luxembourg was repaired in Helsinki." He also added that during the decision period the exchange of letters with Premier Ecevit had played an important role. /Sabah/

CALL FROM EUROPE TO TURKEY

The European Parliament (EP), which has not warmly welcomed Turkey's candidate status, has called on Turkey to abolish the death sentence. During the EP's General Council session, the draft recommendation that had been prepared concerning the results of the Helsinki Summit was discussed and accepted. In the decision that was accepted, concerning Turkey it was said, "We hope that granting Turkey candidacy status will cause the country to implement essential reforms in democracy, the law and human rights. We are calling on the Turkish Grand National Assembly to abolish capital punishment immediately." Meanwhile, the EP approved on aid package from the EU to Turkey amounting to 75 million Euros. /Aksam/

ORAL: "CAMDESSUS IS OPTIMISTIC CONCERNING TURKEY"

At a meeting with the Chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Michel Camdessus, Minister of Finance Sumer Oral declared, "My impressions concerning the monetary policies that are about to be adhered to in Turkey are positive." The G-20 meeting, at which Turkey was present, was held yesterday in the capital of Germany, Berlin. Oral, who had gone to Germany for the gathering, said, "During my meeting with Camdessus, he used the term 'the programme that should occur' for Turkey's economic programme." Besides Camdessus, the American Secretary of the Treasury, Lawrence Summers, Central Bank Chairman Alan Greenspan and the World Bank Chairman were present at the meeting with Oral. /Aksam/

GIFT FROM PAPANDREU

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu presented an anthology of poetry to Ismail Cem as a gift. The book 'Ithaca`, written by Konstantin Kavafy, includes the subject of Greek poet Homer's famous work 'Odessa`, symbolizing heroism. The timing of the present is considered meaningful. /Sabah/

YILMAZ IN DIYARBAKIR

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz, left for Diyarbakir together with seven Ministers and 30 ANAP parliamentary representatives. Diyarbakir Municipality's officials from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) also took an interest in the visit. During his speech to the Diyarbakir Regional ANAP Meeting, Yilmaz said, "Today I am here since I believe that the road to the EU passes through Diyarbakir." Stressing that democracy is the right of both Kurds and Turks, he proposed the abolishment of the State of Emergency (OHAL) in the region. Mesut Yilmaz also said that the new Millennium would be a turning point for Turkey, and the beginning of a new period for the Southeast. Emphasizing that the terrorism issue has more been or less solved, the ANAP Leader pointed out that a golden chance has now appeared in front of Turkey to help in solving other problems. /Sabah/

HIZBULLAH UNDER CLOSE WATCH

A meeting will be organized in Diyarbakir to review the actions of Islamic terrorist organization Hizbullah, 2,000 of whose militants were arrested in massive raids over recent months. Security officials will discuss the crack-down in progress in 11 cities. /Cumhuriyet/

TURK: "CAKICI CANNOT BE INTERROGATED"

Although Turkish Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan believes that Cakici should be interrogated, Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk says that Cakici cannot be cross-examined in this way according to the agreement that was reached between Turkey and France. Turk stated that, according to the European Charter on the Extradition of People Found Guilty, apart from the files which permit the extradition, interrogation and judgement are not possible. /Cumhuriyet/

"ARBITRATION" DILEMMA FOR TGNA

The proposal that was rejected by the Justice Commission has been accepted by the Planning and Budgetary Commission. The draft will be discussed in the plenary session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) today. The draft on the Build-Operate-Transfer scenerio foresees a retrospective application of international arbitration. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY CLAMPS DOWN ON THE NUCLEAR ENERGY

A lecturer from Galatasaray University, Prof. Dr. Tolga Yarman, stated, "If Turkey uses its energy potential, then there will be no need for nuclear power stations". Yarman delivered a speech at a discussion forum entitled 'Turkey clamps down on Nuclear Energy' that was held at Istanbul University's Student Cultural Centre by Istanbul University's Kemalist Ideology Club and said, "The words 'we will establish nuclear power stations for the benefit of the Turkish nation', which were uttered by some politicians, do not reflect the truth." /Turkiye/

ATHENS EXTRADITES HASAN HEYBETLI

It was stated that the Greek Minister of Justice, Evangelos Yanapulos, had approved the extradition of Hasan Heybetli to Turkey. Heybetli, who fled from Kusadasi to the Greek Island of Istankoy, was brought to Koridalos Prison in Athens a few days ago. It was further stated that Heybetli will be taken from the prison and then will be brought to Turkey. /Turkiye/ STUDENTS IN COURT Six students of about the age of 13, were put on trial yesterday for carrying a sign on which was written, "We want a teacher". The students told the judge that they did not know it was an illegal act. They face up to 3 years' imprisonment. /Hurriyet/

BARBECUE IN ANCIENT EPHESUS

Before it was camel-wrestling, concerts, now, with special permission from the Ministry of Culture, a barbecue party is being organized for 1,000 American billioners in the ancient city of Ephesus as part of 'Faith Tourism'. Archaeology and Archaeologists' Association Chairman, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Tirpan, horrified, declared, "This is scandalous and has to be stopped". /Cumhuriyet/

ECZACIBASI ALSO SHOWS HIS SUPPORT

Following the Koc and Sabanci Groups, support has come from Eczacibasi for the Central Bank's Dec. 9 monetary and exchange rate policy. The Eczacibasi Group declared that their work schedules would be arranged according to the targets set by the government for 20% devaluation and 30% inflation rates for the year 2000. /Sabah/

EARTHQUAKE TAX HITS INSURANCE COMPANIES

Paying out 21 trillion TL in damages following the earthquake disasters, a second blow has come to insurance companies from the government. The companies will pay 9 trillion TL more due to an additional tax from Treasury bonds. /Hurriyet/

FULL SUPPORT FOR EXPORTERS

State Minister Tunca Toskay, talking of exports, reported, "During 1999, in general exports decreased by an average of 3.6% compared to 1998; export revenue for 1999 was 26 billion dollars. According to the plan for the year 2000, exports are expected to increase on average by 8.7% leading to an income of 28.3 billion dollars. This is not only due to the expected improvements in the country's economy but also to the revival in world demand that is envisaged. This year, the drop in exportats mainly resulted from a decrease in domestic production, depression in some markets within the country, the continued impact of global crises, the regional factor and the effects of the earthquake." /Aksam/

HUGE INVESTMENT BY KOC IN SANLIURFA

During a foundation-laying ceremony attended by Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp in Sanliurfa, the foundation-stone was laid of a cattle breeding complex. This has been jointly planned by the Koc Holding Company and the Ata Group and will be called the Koc Ata Complex and Agricultural Products Co-op. Gokalp, stating that the biggest problem for Turkish agriculture was the inability to market products and to receive a profit promptly, said, "This jointly-established complex, jointly managed, will improve the work of the dairy and beef cattle breeders and the production of animal feed." /Aksam/

INTERVENTION UNDERWAY

The State Minister responsible for the economy, Recep Onal, has hinted at some of the issues concerning the reform which will be carried out in the banking sector. Onal stated that some of the banks in bad financial circumstances might be able to be saved. Onal said, "Investors will not be affected by the measures"./Milliyet/

YEAR 2000 ADDITIONS TO TAXES

The Ministry of Finance made bombarded the public with year 2000 tax rates yesterday. Among the information published in the Official Gazette yesterday, Vehicle and Vehicle Purchasing Tax will increase by 52.1 % and Real Estate Tax and Environmental Cleaning Tax by 26.05%. /Hurriyet/

GREAT CONCERT IN ISTANBUL

As part of the Yapi Kredi Art Festival, violin virtuoso Sarah Chang staged a concert in Istanbul. Eighteen-year-old Chang, who started her musical career as a "child prodigy", played pieces by Mozart, Strauss and Dvorak at the Istanbul Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall and enchanted the audience. /Milliyet/

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

WHAT DOES HELSINKI MEAN? BY BULENT AKARCALI (MILLIYET)

ANAP Izmir deputy Bulent Akarcali explains the meaning of the statements in the final communique of the Helsinki Summit. A summary of his column is as follows: "The main gist of the Helsinki document is that the candidate status of Turkey, which will lead the country to EU full-membership, has been accepted unconditionally. When compared with the Luxembourg Summit which attached certain impossible provisos to our candidacy, this is a great achievement for Turkey. The Helsinki document is formed mainly of three parts: the evaluation of 13 candidate countries on an equal footing, the disputes between candidate countries or a member country and the Cyprus problem, and thirdly the preparations of a candidate country to become a member and the responsibilities and obligations entailed in this. The document does not talk about the Cyprus Republic. It does not even mention the Cyprus Government. It defines the issue as the "Cyprus problem". It is important to note that in the statement, in which every word is carefully chosen, the Greek-Cypriot Administration does not come to the fore. There is no mention that the Greek-Cypriot Administration will become a member if negotiations on the subject fail. On the contrary, it is stated that Europe will reassess the situation if no agreement is reached on the issue by the end of 2004. Disputes between between Turkey and Greece will not automatically be taken to the Court of Justice at the Hague either. In the past Turkey had proposed a solution package which covered recourse to the Hague. In fact, these proposals made at the party leaders' meeting of the European Democratic Union, which constituted a significant diplomatic success put Greece in a tight spot. For years, Turkey has been calling on Greece to solve these problems between the two countries and, if no agreement is reached, to take them to the Court of Justice. For years, Greece did not regard the issues we saw as "disputes" between the two countries but as "a domestic problem" such as the continental shelf and Flight Information Region(FIR). Therefore, the Helsinki Document is closer to Turkish views on the subject. In short, the Helsinki Document will not automatically grant membership to the Greek-Cypriot Administration. Greece will not veto Turkey any more. A new period of cooperation is beginning; Turkey has been recognized as a respected and strong player on a field where everyone is playing according to the same rules."

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