DEMIREL TO VISIT THE U.S.A.

President Suleyman Demirel will pay his last important official visit, of his term of office, by visiting the U.S.A. at the end of February next. Demirel will go to Washington as the guest of the American President, Bill Clinton, where he will meet the Chairman of the National Security Council, Sandy Berger, and the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. President Demirel will be accompanied by a large delegation and will stay in the U.S.A. for one week. President Demirel will deliver speeches at the meetings of various think-tanks. In addition, he will make press statements. /Hurriyet/

GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH SENDS THANKS TO DEMIREL

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos of Istanbul thanked President Suleyman Demirel for his Christmas message and also for cancelling the New Year's party that had been planned to take place at Hagia Eirene Church, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Patriarch said in a written statement that Christmas was a meaningful day for all Christians, including Turkish Christians. The Patriach thanked Demirel for treating all Christians equally in his Christmas Day speech. The Patriarch also sent messages for the New Year and Seker Bayrami and wished everyone happiness and peace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TURKISH CYPRIOT STATE REALITY

President Suleyman Demirel stressed yesterday that international acknowledgement of the existence of the Turkish Cypriot State in northern Cyprus would pave the way to a resolution of the 36-year-old problem on the eastern Mediterranean island. Talking to reporters before a meeting with visiting Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas, Demirel said the Greek Cypriot State in southern Cyprus had no sovereignty over the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The President remarked that if and when the international community started acting with an awareness of the realities of Cyprus and acknowledged the existence of a Turkish Cypriot State in northern Cyprus, new openings would unfold on the path towards a resolution of the Cyprus problem. Demirel stated that Denktas has always wanted a peaceful settlement on the Island and has always been reconciliatory, but determined to defend the inalienable and sacred rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. Denktas also spoke to the press and said his government would never agree to join in the Greek Cypriot delegation's EU accession discussions. He said the Turkish Cypriot State could enter into accession talks with the EU if Europe recognized the Turkish Cypriot State as a separate entity on the Island. Denktas also thanked President Demirel for Turkey's continuous full support for the Turkish Cypriot people and state. /Turkish Daily News/

DENKTAS PRAISED KEMALIST IDEOLOGY

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas arrived in Turkey to attend the ceremonies celebrating the 80th anniversary of Ataturk's first visit to Ankara. Denktas said, "I have spent 60 years of my 75 years of age by saying Ataturk's name and that the Kemalist ideology is within our veins." Turkish President Suleyman Demirel also issued a speech and said, "The Greek-Cypriot Administration does not have any sovereignity over the TRNC. If the reality regarding Cyprus is accepted, then the path that leads to the solution will be open." Denktas added that the second tour of the meetings will be held in Geneva. /Aksam/

ATATURK: LEADER OF THE MILLENNIUM

Egyptian 'Nile TV`, in a programme assessing the Millennium, presented Ataturk as the leading figure of the Millennium. During the programme, it stated that Ataturk was the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. /Milliyet/

THE SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE

After the acceptance of Turkey's EU-candidacy at the Helsinki Summit, the possibility of the solution to the Cyprus problem increase and the stages of the solution are being shaped. The Greek-Cypriot 'Fileleftheros' newspaper, defended the new process towards a solution, which began after the EU's and the U.S.A.'s involvement. According to this newspaper, the solution will be achieved as follows: The UN and the U.S.A., which noted the concerned parties' comments in New York between 3th and 14th December, will want Denktas and Klerides to sign a by-agreement during the second group of meetings to be held in Geneva on 27th January. The by-agreement, which consists of security precautions, envisages the lifting of the embargo on the Turkish side in return for Varosa's being under the control of the UN. As part of the agreement, there will be free-trade between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek-Cypriot Administration. The restrictions for tourists visiting the Island will be lightened. During the third group of meetings, the final plan to be prepared by the U.S.A. and England will be discussed. /Hurriyet/

TURCO-GREEK DIALOGUE

Turco-Greek relations are expected to develop further in the second half of January. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreu have decided to launch talks on a series of issues, including cooperation against terrorism, the environment, culture and the economy between the two countries at the beginning of last summer. As a result of technical meetings which lasted for nearly six months, 10 agreements are expected to be signed during the visit to be paid by Papandreu, to Ankara, in the second half of January and by Cem to Athens in February. /Turkiye/

REPUBLIC TRAIN ARRIVES IN ANKARA

Having called at 167 stations and travelled 11,000 kilometres around the country, the Republic Train completed its tour and pulled into Ankara yesterday as part of the celebrations on the 80th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's arrival in Ankara. During the ceremony at Ankara train station, President Demirel said that the train had brought warmth, love and loyalty to the Republic from every corner of Turkey. Speaking at the same ceremony Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the train clearly showed how dear the Republic was to Turkish people's hearts and souls. "The journey does not really end here; this Republic's journey will go on for ever" he added. President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas, Turkish Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, State Ministers and military officers, the General Director of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) Yucel Yener, the General Director of Turkish Railways, Hasan Mollaogullari, Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek and Ankara Governor, Yahya Gur, were also present at the ceremony. /Turkish Daily News/

CAKMAKOGLU IN TRNC

National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu opened a student hostel in Famagusta (Gazimagosa) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday. Cakmakoglu delivered a speech and said that they attached great importance to education and training. Many high-level TRNC officials also attended the opening of the hostel built for 252 students. The Turkish Ambassador to TRNC, Ertugrul Apakan, gave a banquet in honour of Cakmakoglu yesterday. Prior to the banquet, Cakmakoglu paid courtesy visits to the Speaker of the TRNC Republican Assembly, Ertugrul Hasipoglu and also to Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu. Cakmakoglu who will be received by the TRNC President Rauf Denktas will return to Turkey today, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

GOKALP URGES GOVERNMENT ACTION TO QUICKLY TACKLE FARM REFORM

Agriculture Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp urged the government to tackle farm reform without delay. Gokalp explained what Turkey should do to reform its farm sector in order to be line with EU regulations at a press conference yesterday. He warned, "If Turkey doesn't strengthen its farm sector with the necessary reforms, it will become an open market to other EU countries when it enters the Union. He summed up the current problems of the Turkish agricultural sector and added that some bills prepared by his Ministry must pass through the Cabinet and be submitted to Parliament as soon as possible. Gokalp told reporters that his Ministry will consider Turkey's realities as well as IMF proposals while fixing grain prices. /All papers/

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS 'REACTION'

The National Security Council (MGK) will convene tomorrow with a full agenda. In the last MGK of the century, many issue, such as the developments concerning the Aegean and Cyprus and the future of the State of Emergency (OHAL) will be discussed. The meeting, during which the MGK's 2000 strategy will be determined, is also expected to point out the threat of reaction. During the meeting, foreign policy and the process after the the approval of Turkey's EU candidacy will be discussed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will release information about these issues. In addition, preparations for entry will be explained and the bilateral relations with EU-member countries will be discussed in the meeting. It is expected that issues on the agenda will be new strategies concerning the Aegean and Cyprus. Also the relations with Greece and the outlines of policies entering the year 2000 will be formed. In addition, the issues of the Greek-Cypriot Administration and Chechnya will be on the agenda. /Aksam/

TURCO-ISRAELI STRATEGIC TALKS

Strategic talks between Turkey and Israel started in Tel-Aviv on Monday. The Turkish delegation is headed by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, General Edip Baser, who is accompanied by officials from the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs. The 30-man Turkish delegation is expected to raise the issue of the peace negotiations with Syria, that will restart in the US on January 3. Israel is expected to give assurances to the Turkish side that a possible deal between Israel and Syria would in no way harm Turkish interests in the region. The two sides are expected to discuss the results of the OSCE Summit held in Istanbul on November 17 and 18. Radical fundamentalist groups and cooperation against terrorism are expected to be on the agenda, along with political and military issues.Israel will offer cooperation in the training of earthquake rescue teams. Another important topic will be the modernization of Turkish M-60 tanks by Israel and the sale of attack helicopters made jointly by Russia and Israel. The talks on military issues will take place within the framework of the defence industry cooperation agreement between the two countries. /Turkish Daily News/

TRAVEL TO GREECE WITHOUT VISA

Some travel agencies are arranging tours to Greece for Turkish people without visas with special permission of the Greek Government. GTI Travel Agency rented the ship 'Egnatia 2`, flying a Greek flag, for the New Year tours. The Agency made an agreement with the Greek Government which ables Turkish passengers to travel without visas. There is only one precondition for travellers; to stay on board during the nights, at other times, they will be free to sightsee in Athen. /Sabah/

POSITIVE REACTION TO JOINT MANOEUVRES

The proposal of the Chief of General Staff, Huseyin Kivrikoglu, to carry out joint manoeuvres with Greece was welcomed by Athens. The 'Dynamic Mix` NATO manoeuvres will begin on May 20th and be carried out mostly in the Greek region. Turkish war planes will be permitted at the manoeuvres for the first time and to land at the Larissa Air Base. Turkish soldiers, together with Greeks, will also carry out land manoeuvres on Mora Island. /Sabah/

THK REGAINS RIGHT TO COLLECT SKINS, ALMS

The Council of State has approved an appeal submitted by the Turkish Civil Aviation Association (THK) requesting reversal of a regulation that had suspended the THK's right to collect animal skins during Kurban Bayrami (Feast of Sacrifice) and to distribute and collect envelopes from the general public for charitable donations. In accordance with the ruling by the Council of State, the regulation stipulating procedures for collecting charity has been amended once again, authorizing the THK to collect animal hides sacrificed during Kurban Bayrami. /All papers/

POPE WANTS TO SEE TURKEY

The holy leader of the Roman Catholic Christian world, Pope II. Jean Paul, is expected to come Turkey and visit the Harran district of Sanliurfa and the Church of Saint Pierre in Antalya, during the year 2000. as one of the twelve desciples of Jesus, St. Pierre, began to spread the word of Christianity from Antakya, it has great importance. Because of this visit, a great number of visitors are also expected to come Turkey from many countries. /Milliyet/

PERMANENT HOUSES FROM THE WORLD BANK

World Bank will construct 2,600 permanent houses in Sakarya. The Governor of Sakarya, Cahit Kirac, said during a meeting held with earthquake-hit regions's governors and officials from banks involved and officials from the World Bank, that the loan of 500 million dollars to be given by the World Bank to Turkey was to be directed to Sakarya, as other provinces could not find suitable areas to construct the houses on. We have chosen the Ferizli and Kaynarca roads as the new housing areas." /Aksam/

TENT CITIES LIKE THE UN

In Bolu and Duzce, the earthquake struct twice, there are 3,556 tents constructed by 12 countries. Many countries such as U.S.A. and Pakistan do not fly their flags but Italians fly their flags at the tent city and the eating places they have constructed. After the earthquake in Golcuk and Duzce, many countries helped Turkey sent search and rescue teams and constructed tent cities in order to provide shelter for earthquake victims. In a statement issued by the crisis desks in Bolu and Duzce, there are many tent cities; 1000 tents constructed by the Spanish Red Crescent, 100 tents from the Canadian Government, 200 prefabricated houses from Holland's Association of Churches, 270 tents from the Belgian Karistas company, 250 tents from Greece, 499 tents from Pakistan, 39 tents from the U.S.A., 228 tents from China, 362 fro Canada, 341 from the Ukrain and 257 tents from Japan. /Aksam/

UND HELPS VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE

The Head of the International Carriers' Association (UND), Saffet Ulusoy, issued a written statement yesterday and said that a great deal of relief equipment from inside and outside Turkey had been sent to the earthquake disaster region. Following the disaster, 152 houses, a primary school, a small mosque, a health clinic and a laundry opened in Kocaeli, the construction of 89 houses is also underway in Bolu and Kaynasli. The United Technologies Corporation (UTC) which has already donated $30,000 to the International Disaster Assistance Fund, via the American Red Cross, will also build a primary school in Adapazari. The construction of the new primary school is expected to be completed next year. /Turkiye/

TURKEY SENDS HELP TO ALGERIA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Turkey had started preparing to send essential items to Algeria after the earthquake on December 22. It was also stated that since Turkey had experienced a similar disaster a short while before, it was ready to give every possible support to Algeria. The statement also included messages of condolence to the Algerian people, from President Suleyman Demirel and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. /Turkish Daily News/

HASHISH SEIZED IN BURSA

During an operation in Bursa, nine kilos of hashish were seized yesterday. Officials said that three people were taken into custody adding that an investigation into the incident was underway, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The market value of the hashish totals 10 billion TL.

OUR ESTEEM TO INCREASE IN THE JAPANESE MARKET

The Japanese rating (credit rating) establishment, JCR's analysist to Turkey, Masami Shigematsu, said that the signing of the stand-by agreement with the IMF was an important development in terms of increasing Turkey's credit raiting. Masami Shigematsu stated that with the signing of the stand-by agreement, Turkey had undertaken some decisions concerning the economic policies to be carried out. Shigematsu said, "We are closely following the developments in Turkey and the stand-by agreement creates a positive impression within international markets. The Government has taken important economic decisions and the next stage is to implement them. In order to observe the first steps of these policies implemented, we will visit Turkey next January or February and after that make our evaluations concerning Turkey's credit rating." /Aksam/

TREASURY TO BE EVALUATED

The Treasury is planning to issue bond in the Japanese bond market next year. The Treasury, which was in debt in terms of dollars and euro, could not enter the Japanese market last year. The JCR evaluation will also have important effects on loans Turkey will receive from Japan and on direct investments that will come from Japan. /Aksam/

JAPANESE LOAN FOR THE GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

The International Geothermal Institution's Chairman to Europe, Orhan Mertoglu stated that Japan would give aid to the amount of 200 million dollars in order to be the lead the geothermal energy and heating project in the Manisa and Balikesir provinces. Mertoglu said that in Manisa 500,000 houses could be heated by the geothermal source and also pointed out the great richness of the region. The Mayors of these provinces stated that they would give importance to this geothermal heating project costing two thousand dollars per house. /Aksam/

SATELLITE STATION FOR ANKARA

Ankara is going to have a satellite station a few days before the year 2000. The station has been situated in Golbasi. It will enable mobile phones to communicate without cuts in service and will play an important role in public establishments' and private companies' communication. Turkey will be an extention of the Globalstar, a multi-nation satellite communication network and it will ensure mobile phone communications of the Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasia countries through Turkey. So, Ankara will be an important communication centre. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH ORTHOPEDISTS' ACHIEVEMENT

Turkish doctors obtain another international achievement. The famous American medical magazine the 'Bulletin Hospital For Joint Diseases' published 'Turkey Special Issue` and the guest editor of the magazine was a Turkish doctor, Prof.Dr. O. Sahap Atik. /Hurriyet/

STRICT DISCIPLINE FOR THE BUDGET

Finance Minister Sumer Oral stated that economic measures began to yield positive results and said that they were very hopeful for the 2000 Year Budget. Sumer Oral delivered a speech at the General Council of the Turkish Parliament where discussions concerning the budget of the Finance Ministry were held and remarked that they would attach more significance to financial policies next year. Oral stressed that the economic policies that are being implemented were positively approached by the financial circles both inside and outside the country and added that their aim was to reduce the rate of budget deficits from 12 % to 3 %. /Turkiye/

MINIMUM WAGE TO BE DETERMINED TODAY

After the Minimum Wage Determination Commission's eighth meeting, to be held today, the new minimum wages, effective as of January 1, will be announced. The increase in the minimum wage, currently 93,600,000 TL gross and TL 68,120,000 TL net, will be determined by the Commission which consists of five workers, five employers and five government representatives. /All papers/

GARANTI LEASING RAISES $51 MILLION LOAN

Garanti Leasing received a $51 million loan from the World Bank's lending arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Rabobank, an international finance lender. The company guaranteed future rents receivable over the next 53 months as security. Ferruh Eker, the Managing Director of Garanti Leasing, said in a written statement that Garanti Leasing now has the ability to establish a new product in the Turkish leasing sector. Eker claimed that this securitization process with the IFC and Rabobank is of great importance to Turkey. He pledged, "We will continue our credibility on an international level and create new advantages for our customers". /Turkish Daily News/

IMKB INDEX RISES

If the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) index breaks a new record today also, it will be the 50th one within 1999. The IMKB National 100 Index increased by 1,344 points and reached 15,747 points. There will be no transactions in the Shares Market on 29-30-31 December 1999 and on 3 January 2000 in order to commence transactions risk free in the year 2000. /Turkiye/

TURKEY'S FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT DOWN 31.6 %

Turkey's foreign trade deficit in the 10 months that ended on October 31 was at $10.983 billion, down 31.6 % from a deficit of $16.57 billion in the corresponding period of 1998, the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) revealed yesterday. The DIE said that exports from January to October totalled $21.205 billion in 1999, down 5.7 % from last year's $22.482 billion. It reported imports dropping by 16.5 % from $38.539 billion to $32.188 billion in the same period. The economy's export/import ratio rose to 65.9 % compared to 1998's 58.3 %. /All papers/

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

DEMIREL THROWS THE BALL INTO THE TGNA'S CORNER BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)

Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the presidential elections to be held in the spring. A summary of his column is as follows: "The coalition leaders will make important decisions in the coming days. The leaders' summit expected to be held just after the Ramadan holiday, will discuss the election of a new President. The Motherland Party (ANAP) Chairman Mesut Yilmaz stated that President Demirel had thrown the ball into the Turkish Grand National Assembly's (TGNA) quarter with the speeches he made in his annual press conferences. He added that the issue will be discussed after the Ramadan Holiday and an amendment to the Constitution will be brought to the agenda. If the Coalition leaders agree on re-electing Demirel as President, the draft of the Constitutional amendment has to be submitted to the TGNA. It is also expected that ANAP leader Yilmaz's proposal concerning the Southeast is expected to be presented to the National Security Council. The proposal envisages the lifting of the state of emergency in the Southeast and converting the regional governorship to an economic and social coordination governorship. Another issue to be concluded in the near future is the tender for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Station. This subject will also be taken up at the summit of the Coalition party leaders. It is evident that Ankara is intends to enter the new year with important decisions."

ARMED FORCES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION BY ILTER TURKMEN (HURRIYET)

Former Ambassador Ilter Turkmen comments on the views of the Armed Forces concerning the EU candidacy. A summary of his column is as follows: "Chief of General Staff General Kivrikoglu, in a statement he made to the press on December 18th, stressed two important points. He said that the Armed Forces supported Turkey's candidacy to the EU and respected the decision of Parliament on capital punishment. It should not be forgotten that in the Turco-Greek rapprochement which led to a positive decision at the Helsinki Summit, Turkish Armed Forces have played an important role. To avoid any misunderstanding , the establishment of a friendly dialogue between the commenders of both sides contributed greatly to the the atmosphere of trust between the two nations. The Chief of General Staff gave the signs of further improvement in the co-ordination within the framework of NATO. Will the Copenhagen criteria bring the function and structure of National Security Council to the agenda? In the EU, the conviction that Turkish Armed Forces play too important a role to agree with the liberal democracy principles is prevalent and this conviction has been reflected in the report of the commission. However, no one can ignore the fact that Turkey's domestic and foreign security problems greatly differ from that of other EU countries. In fact, the agenda of the Turkish Armed Forces will be lessened as the democracy process goes on and social compromise is established. The EU has passed from different stages, the last of which is the economic and monetary union. In the coming years the most important problem it will have to deal with will be the completion of "European Security and Co-operation Identity". Before and after the registration of Turkey's membership great horizons will open up before the Turkish armed Forces. With the EU initiative, due to the strength of the Turkish Armed Forces and operational capacity, Turkey's political and geo-political value will increase."

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