Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-10

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AA Daily

10 August 1999 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] STATE MINISTER GUREL: ''I AM HOPING THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY DRAFT LAW WILL PASS FROM THE PARLIAMENT''

[03] 189 PEOPLE CAPTURED IN IZMIR WHILE TRYING TO FLEE TURKEY THROUGH ILLEGAL WAYS

[04] SIX TRUCK FULLS OF GOODS WITH HISTORICAL VALUE SEIZED IN GAZIANTEP

[05] THREE PHASES OF SUN ON TOP OF NEMRUT MOUNTAIN

[06] HAZELNUT EXPORTS - 715 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 1998

[07] RESTORATION PREPARATIONS IN NEMRUT

[08] LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF MILLENNIUM - MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO SHARE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF MID-DAY DARKNESS WHEN THE MOON'S SHADOW FALL ACROSS THE EARTH BETWEEN 12.55 P.M. AND 15.59 P.M.

[09] TURKISH-IRANIAN SUPREME SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING - YAHYA GUR, INTERIOR MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY: ''THE BORDER BETWEEN US IS THE LONGEST BORDER OF TURKEY, YET, IT IS NATURAL THAT SOME THINGS MAY HAPPEN STEMMING FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD''

[10] AMBASSADOR ROBERT SEIPLE, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN CHARGE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:''TURKEY IS RIGHT TO WORRY ABOUT AN ISLAMIC REVOLUTION THREAT SIMILAR TO THAT IN IRAN''

[11] TURKISH-IRANIAN SUPREME SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING - BOLANDIYAN, IRANIAN DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER, VISITS TANTAN, INTERIOR MINISTER - TANTAN: ''WE WILL OVERCOME SOME PROBLEMS WHICH EARLIER OCCURED AT THE BORDER''

[12] PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUTION COMMISSION'S MEETING

[13] NEW STATEMENT FROM OCALAN, THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - ''IF THE STATE WANTS THE ARMS TO BE LAID DOWN, IT SHOULD CREATE THE CONDITIONS''

[14] DISK ISSUES A CIRCULAR REQUESTING CONTINUATION OF PROTESTS AGAINST DRAFT LAWS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND ARBITRATION WITH DETERMINATION

[15] PUNISHMENTS INCREASED FOR TORTURE AND MISTREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS BY POLICE AND CIVIL SERVANTS

[16] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES ATO CHAIRMAN SINAN AYGUN

[17] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''PART OF REPENTANCE LAW WHICH CONCERNS STUDENTS HAS NOTHING POLITICAL''

[18] ERSUMER, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''IF COUNCIL OF STATE DIDN'T GET OUT THE CONDITIONALITY OF ARBITRATION IN CONCESSION AGREEMENTS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TODAY''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MOODY'S ANALYST GIVES POSITIVE SIGNALS
Hanan Amin Salem, the analyst of Moody's, one of the U.S. leading credit rating institutions, said that the Turkish government moves in the right track by the brave steps it took in the last months, but this has to be permanent. Salem stated that they can change Turkey's impression from ''stable'' to ''positive,'' after Turkey took steps on structural reforms and lasting measures.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA IN TOURISM
Relations between Turkey and Syria began to improve after Syria deported Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization PKK.

Danho Dawoud, the Syrian Tourism Minister, came to Turkey as the guest of Erkan Mumcu, the Tourism Minister. Dawoud attended the Turkish-Syrian 4th Term Tourism Joint Comission meeting.

VIENNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PLAY IN AMASYA
The Vienna Symphony Orchestra which will be conducted by Claudius Traunfellner, will play the ''Planets Suit'' of Gustav Holst during the sun eclipse on August 11 in Amasya which is one of the best places to watch the last total solar eclipse of the millennium. The concert can be watched live through the TRT. It will be also transmitted to the world TV channels through the European Broadcast Union (EBU). The worldwide famous CNN Channel will also broadcast the concert from Amasya.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURKEY WINS ONE GOLD AND TWO SILVER MEDALS
Turkey won one gold and two silver medals in the 4th European Boxing Championship which was organized in Azeri capital Baku. Selcuk Aydin competing in the 54 kg category, beat his Russian opponent in the final match, and took the gold medal. Meanwhile, Hakan Dolunay in the 48 kg, and Serdar Ustunel in the 57 kg, were defeated by their Ukranian opponents, and won silver medals.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

A BOMB PLACED NEAR DSP BRANCH IN ADANA NEUTRALIZED
A bomb which was placed near the Democratic Left party (DSP) branch in southern Adana province, was neutralized early on Monday.

Security forces found a bomb which was ignited but which did not explode near the DSP branch in Adana. The officials said that the bomb experts later neutralized the hand-made bomb.

FOUR CHECHEN FERRY HIJACKERS RELEASED
Ceyhun Mollamehmetoglu, Erdinc Tekir, Sedat Tekir and Ertan Coskun, four of the Chechen activists who hijacked the Avrasya ferry in 1995, were released from jail after serving 3 and half years of their eight year sentences.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

SOMUNCUOGLU: ''OCALAN, THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION TRIES TO SHOW HIMSELF AS SYMPATHETIC TO NATION''
Sadi Somuncuoglu, Minister of State, said that Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, wanted to show himself sympathetic to the nation. Responding to a question of a journalist which said ''Abdullah Ocalan called on terrorists to lay down arms and witdraw from Turkey'' and when asked about his comments, Somuncuoglu said Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization tried to create a sympathy in public opinion, adding that the massacres he had realized created hatred in the nation.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) OUR SOLDIERS ARE FREE
Iranian officials in the end released two Turkish soldiers who accidentally passed the border on July 22. It was seen that health condition of the two soldiers who were handed back to Turkish officials were seen to be in good health condition. Iran's gesture has coincided with the bilateral security committee meetings between Turkey and Iran.

DSP PROVINCIAL BUILDING BOMBED
A bomb exploded in the Provincial Directorate of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), in central Kayseri province at about 16:20 local time on Monday, causing financial damage.

Eyewitnesses said that a man in his 25s placed the pipe-bomb between banister and elevator cabin, and then fled from the scene.

A full investigation regarded with the attack, is underway.

[02] STATE MINISTER GUREL: ''I AM HOPING THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY DRAFT LAW WILL PASS FROM THE PARLIAMENT''

The draft law was changed and improved, Gurel reminded and said ''it has now become a draft which suggests a fair transition period and it has no contraversial points other than the age limit for retirement''. ''Therefore I am hoping that it will pass from the Parliament,'' he said.

When asked to comment on the protests against Yasar Okuyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gurel pointed out that the draft law should not be attributed to only Yasar Okuyan, but to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in general.

[03] 189 PEOPLE CAPTURED IN IZMIR WHILE TRYING TO FLEE TURKEY THROUGH ILLEGAL WAYS

After staying in Izmir for some time, the group was planning to flee Turkey by the boats that would have been provided for them. Operations are continuing to catch the two Turks who organized the escape.

It was reported that the 140 people who came from Southeastearn provinces were the same people who tried to flee the country from Dikili 15 days ago.

The organization of the escape has a political link and the investigation is continuting to find out more about it, it was stated. A more detailed explanation will be released later.

[04] SIX TRUCK FULLS OF GOODS WITH HISTORICAL VALUE SEIZED IN GAZIANTEP

Gaziantep Governor Muammer Guler said the goods were tried to be transported to Istanbul and Konya when they were found during inspections carried out by Nizip Provincial Gendarme Commandership.

The trucks were full of mirror frames, wooden chests and about a thousand of clay water containers, all with historical value.

Dr. Rifat Ergec, the Director of Archeology Museum warned people and said they should consult to the museum when they wanted to sell old goods like mirrors and chests. ''That way, our historical goods will stay in our province. If we sell them to people coming from other provinces, we can never get them back,'' Ergec said.

[05] THREE PHASES OF SUN ON TOP OF NEMRUT MOUNTAIN

Recep Kizilcik, the Headman of Kahta, told the A.A. correspondent that Nemrut's peak was one of the best places to watch the solar eclipse. ''This magical place will witness three different phases of the sun on August 11. We are inviting people to watch the sun rise, solar eclipse and the sun set on that day,'' Kizilcik added.

Nemrut's peak also has a nice view of Ataturk Dam which is the heart of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). ''Astrology, history, culture and technology can all be seen at the same place,'' he stressed.

Those who come to watch the eclipse, will also have a chance to see the underground channels in Arsemia, cisterns, castle of Old Kahta, the 2000 year old Rome Bridge and Karakus Hill.

Adiyaman Governorship will have a special programme too. People will watch the sunrise at 5.10 a.m., the sun eclipse at 2.38 p.m. and the sunset at 8.30 with music.

An Information Tent on top of Nemrut Mountain has already been built for the foreign and Turkish guests on August 11.

[06] HAZELNUT EXPORTS - 715 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 1998

Officials at the Black Sea Union of Hazelnut Exporters told the A.A correspondent that Turkey exported 172 thousand 691 tonnes of hazelnuts, and obtained an income of 715.2 million U.S. dollars. Turkey exports hazelnuts mainly to the European countries.

In the same period of last year, Turkey had exported 210 thousand 859 tonnes of hazelnuts, and obtained an income of 956 million 109 thousand U.S. dollars in the same period last year.

The 1998-1999 export year will end on August 31, 1999.

[07] RESTORATION PREPARATIONS IN NEMRUT

Akarcali and Maurice Crijns, Chairperson of International Nemrut Foundation, made observations in Nemrut Mountain in Kahta county of southeastern Adiyaman province.

Recalling that they had signed a protocol in March with Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, to restore the historical works in the mountain, Akarcali said, ''we want to start the restoration works as soon as possible within framework of the protocol.''

Stressing that they wanted to restore the mausoleum of King

Aniochos and the giant sculptures on the peak of the mountain, Crijns also added that a budget of 4 million U.S. dollars was allocated to the restoration works.

The mountaion was included in the Cultural Heritage List by the

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

[08] LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF MILLENNIUM - MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO SHARE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF MID-DAY DARKNESS WHEN THE MOON'S SHADOW FALL ACROSS THE EARTH BETWEEN 12.55 P.M. AND 15.59 P.M.

The solar eclipse can be watched in Turkey as partial and total eclipse. The total eclipse will be seen in Bartin, Kastamonu, Corum, Merzifon, Amasya, Turhal, Tokat, Sivas, Elazig, Diyarbakir, Batman and Cizre at about 14.20 local time for about two and half minutes.

During the eclipse period, the moon will exactly cover the sun's disk.

Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan are on the path of the total eclipse.

According to the data of the Directorate General of Meteorology, the weather forecast in places on the path of the total solar eclipse between 14.20 p.m. and 14.40 p.m. on August 11, is as follows:

Weather Heat

Forecast (max-min) Rate of Damp Wind

----------- -------- ------------ --------
Bartin Clear and 31-21 50 percent From north

. partly clouded and east</PRE> Kastamonu Clear and 32-17 25 percent From

. partly clouded north-east

Corum Clear and 33-16 25 percent From

. partly clouded north-east

Amasya Clear and 34-20 25 percent From

. partly clouded north-east

Tokat Clear and 34-18 25 percent From

. partly clouded north-east

Sivas Clear and 32-16 25 percent From

. partly clouded north-east

Elazig Clear and 40-21 20 percent From

. partly clouded north-east

Diyarbakir Clear 41-21 15 percent Not windy

Batman Clear 41-24 15 percent Not windy

Invited by the Tourism Ministry, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra which will be conducted by Claudius Traunfellner, will play the ''Planets Suit'' of Gustav Holst during the sun eclipse at Gokhoyuk Park in Amasya province in the Black Sea Region.

The concert can be watched live through the TRT. It will be also transmitted to the world TV channels through the European Broadcast Union (EBU). The worldwide famous CNN Channel will also broadcast the concert from Amasya.

As thousands of people from different parts of the world come to Turkey to watch the total eclipse, all dwelling facilities have been filled.

A fleet will hoist sails in the Black Sea to watch the total eclipse. Two scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will watch the total eclipse in Turkey, and transmit it live through the web site on internet. The address of the web site of the NASA is: ''http://www.eclipse99.nasa.gov.''

Meanwhile, Directorate General of Mint, will mint two kinds of silver coins to mark the last total eclipse of the millennium. The coins designed by Suat Ozyonum, will be put up for sale by August 4.

[09] TURKISH-IRANIAN SUPREME SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING - YAHYA GUR, INTERIOR MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY: ''THE BORDER BETWEEN US IS THE LONGEST BORDER OF TURKEY, YET, IT IS NATURAL THAT SOME THINGS MAY HAPPEN STEMMING FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD''

Yahya Gur, Interior Minıstry Undersecretary, addressing the meeting said Turkish-Iranian relations were based on history and friendship.

Gur, who heads Turkısh delegation, said they will discuss issues stemming from mutual border and neighborhood relations, adding that ''these issues will mainly focus on security.''

Stressing that there are dossiers and issues which are prepared by the two sides, Gur noted that these will be discussed in this meeting.

Emphasizing that the border between the two countries is very long, Gur said, ''the border between us is the longest border of Turkey, yet, it is natural that some things may happen stemming from the neighbourhood. What we have to do is to raise this friendship between the two countries and the two nations to an upper degree, to settle down the issues and to ensure friendly relations.''

Gur added that a memorandum of understanding will be signed tomorrow following the Sixth Supreme Security Meeting.

Gulam Hussein Bolandiyan, Iranian Deputy Interior Minister, said that Iran Islamic Republic's sending him to Turkey is an indicator of good will; adding that they attach importance to Turkey and that he will submit some dossiers to the Turkish officials during their contacts.

Ugur Ziyal, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary; Kemal Asya, Foreign Ministry Intelligence Unit Director; Ertugrul Cakir, Deputy Director General of Security; and many other security and foreign ministry officials participate in the meeting.

Iranian delegation includes Majid Amini, Deputy Director General of the Iranian Interior Ministry responsible for the borders; Majid Taghipoor, representative of the Iranian Chief of General Staff Office; and many other Iranian Interior and Foreign Ministry officials.

[10] AMBASSADOR ROBERT SEIPLE, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN CHARGE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:''TURKEY IS RIGHT TO WORRY ABOUT AN ISLAMIC REVOLUTION THREAT SIMILAR TO THAT IN IRAN''

In the speech he delivered at Middle East Institute in Washington D.C., Ambassador Seiple told about the U.S. government's efforts to improve religious freedom in the world.

When a reporter brought up the head scarf issue at the conference's question and answer part, Seiple said this was a very sensitive issue. Turkey carries very serious worries about an Islamic revolution threat and it is using some methods to deal with the situation, he pointed out and added that the U.S. shared Turkey's worries regarding the matter. However, the U.S. has some differences of views about the methods Turkey uses, he noted and stressed that religious freedom and democracy should not exclude each other.

Seiple went on to say that they would release a report on September 8 which will cover all the countries of the world and submit it to President Clinton. Seiple said he recently visited Israel, Egypt and Suudi Arabia and saw that these countries had religious problems.

The U.S. increasingly attributes importance to the improvement of religious freedom all around the world and it might put sanctions against countries which suppresses people for religious reasons or even uses torture, Ambassador Seiple explained.

[11] TURKISH-IRANIAN SUPREME SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING - BOLANDIYAN, IRANIAN DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER, VISITS TANTAN, INTERIOR MINISTER - TANTAN: ''WE WILL OVERCOME SOME PROBLEMS WHICH EARLIER OCCURED AT THE BORDER''

Speaking in the meeting, Tantan said that they will overcome some problems which earlier occured in the Turkish and Iranian border.

Emphasizing that the good relations between Turkey and Iran go back to centurities, Tantan said, ''I believe that we will overcome some problems which earlier occured in the Turkish and Iranian border. I hope that the relations will improve with these meetings and I wish that these meetings will be successful in the end.''

Bolandiyan said that the morning session of the meeting with Yahya Gur, Interior Ministry Undersecretary, was very constructive and that they examined and discussed the issues which happened at the border in the last one or two months; adding that they are to reach a good solution.

Stressing that they have not received any information about the ideas of the Turkish side on the contacts and observations of the Turkish delegation in Iran, yet; Bolandiyan requested that the Turkish side should tell them about its ideas and invited the representatives of the press to be constructive for the Turkish-Iranian relations.

Stating that he wants all the world to know that the relations between Turkey and Iran are improving and that this transitory situation was removed; Bolandiyan noted that he and Gur are doing their best to improve the relations.

The members of the Supreme Security Commission also participated in the meeting between Tantan and Bolandiyan.

[12] PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUTION COMMISSION'S MEETING

Through a joint proposal submitted by the representatives of five political parties, the Article about ''political parties which become the focus of illegal acts'' was revised. According to this, the party will become the ''focus of acts'' if that party discusses these acts at the Great Congress, Central Executive Board (MKYK) and in party's Parliament group and implies or openly accepts that these acts were committed by the party members.

After the proposal was accepted by a large majority, the Article 103 of the Constitution was changed and the concept of ''focus'' was made more clear. Mehmet Ozcan, the Izmir deputy of Democratic Left Party (DSP) opposed the proposal and claimed that it would limit the authority of the Constitutional Court. Ahmet Iyimaya, the Amasya deputy of True Path Party (DYP) said that was not true and the proposal only helped to clarify the meaning of becoming a ''focus''.

[13] NEW STATEMENT FROM OCALAN, THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - ''IF THE STATE WANTS THE ARMS TO BE LAID DOWN, IT SHOULD CREATE THE CONDITIONS''

Ocalan, who issued a written statement through his lawyers Mahmut Sakar, Irfan Dundar, Ahmet Avsar and Aydin Oruc, whom he met on Monday, defended that:

''We are definitely not playing tricks. We are trying to reach democratic republic by making a great ideologic, programmed, and organizational transformation. Peace is now a strategy for us. Democratic politics is now basic strategy for us. Our goal is to democratize the constitution.''

Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, who mentioned from Turkey as ''our country'', pointed out that ''peace culture is weak in our country. Peace is not tricks, treachery and decay. PKK exists for peace if Turkey is ready. If the state wants the arms to be laid down, it should create the right conditions. The state has to have preparations. We don't have intentions to oppress Turkey. The arms will be laid down if Turkey takes a step tomorrow. There are not any proper legal arrangements. In fact what we do is to wait for peace. Even if I am destroyed or hanged, the mentality of the period requires solution.''

Defendant Ocalan also stated that they were ready to hand in their arms.

[14] DISK ISSUES A CIRCULAR REQUESTING CONTINUATION OF PROTESTS AGAINST DRAFT LAWS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND ARBITRATION WITH DETERMINATION

The circular said that the determined struggle of the trade unions which are the members of the confederations and the workers deserve all kinds of praise and that this determination should be continued without slowing down.

The circular noted that they will continue to call the government to withdraw the Draft Law on Social Security, to agree upon the issues including the retirement age, the contribution of the state, the labour security, the unemployement insurance, the liquidation of the obligatory savings, and the autonomous and democratic Social Security Agency (SSK) and to resubmit the draft law to the parliament after it is changed.

The circular stated that the warning protests and the constructive stance to improve the Labour Platform and to put its decisions into effect will continue.

Claiming that the government turns a blind eye to the reactions which occur in the public opinion for the arbitration issue, the circular said, ''the government is trying to find the ways to agree with the opposition parties about this issue which will directly affect the workers as much as the social security will affect. Thus, the power of obstruction of the deputies who listen to the reactions of the workers, is wanted to be annuled. To this end, the studies about the arbitration should be attributed as much importance as the studies about the social security.''

''The protests should continue with determination by the conscience that we will use our trade union rights against the attacks which are staged against us,'' the circular added.

[15] PUNISHMENTS INCREASED FOR TORTURE AND MISTREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS BY POLICE AND CIVIL SERVANTS

Civil servants and other public workers who use torture and mistreat people will be sentenced up to 8 years of prison terms. They will also be dismissed from their jobs temporarily or permanently. Currently the maximum amount of punishment is 5 years of prison terms.

The law says ''Civil servants and other public workers who use torture or bad treatment to make a person confess his crimes or to prevent a witness from reporting the events will be sentenced to prison sentence up to 8 years and they will be temporarily or permanently dismissed from public services.''

Police officers who abuse their power and mistreat people or cause them physical pain while they are on duty or while they carry out the instructions of their supervisors will be sentenced to 5 years of prison term instead of 3 years.

Doctors, pharmacists and other medical personnel who are relied on by the government who give false and misleading reports will be sentenced to prison term from 6 months to 2 years and a fine between 100 million to 300 million Turkish liras. If the false report was given in return of money, the prison term will be between 3 and 5 years. If the report was given to conceal or obscure the evidence, the person who gives it will be sentenced to 4 to 8 years of prison term.

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, during the discussions, stated that there was a disagreement between the government's view and the sub- commission's. The minimum and maximum punishments were pulled down in the draft law prepared by the sub-commission, he stated and added that it ''almost encourages torture''.

Under the current law, those who employ torture on duty can be sentenced up to 5 years of prison terms. However the new law has two catagories, torture and mistreatment of a person. If the crime is classified in the second catagory, the person receives prison term from 6 months to 6 years. This also means that the minimum punishment drops from 1 year to 6 months by the sub-commission's draft law, Turk explained.

Turkey has to punish the torturers according to the United Nations Prevention of Torture Agreement, he reminded and said the draft law was prepared in accordance to this agreement. Torture is not a state policy, but it is sometimes practiced Turk stressed and said decreasing the punishments would not abide by the rules of international agreements, Turk stated. ''Torture is the shame of all humanity. And Turkey must get rid of this. If we encourage torture, it would turn into a state policy. This should not be allowed,'' he said.

After fierce discussions, the Parliament had a voting and accepted the government's draft law instead of the sub-commission's version.

[16] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES ATO CHAIRMAN SINAN AYGUN

Aygun said the government has the support of the majority of the Parliament and this was a big chance for the country. He also added that the Parliament's activities were very pleasing. Aygun told Ecevit that they supported his government and thanked him for the latest tax regulations.

Speaking about the international arbitration, Aygun stressed that Turkey definitely needed arbitration to complete 5,556 investments worth of 130 billion U.S. dollars which are left unfinished.

Developed countries of the world like Singapore, Sweden, and Germany use foreign capital at higher rates while the foreign investment amount in Turkey is only 3 percent. Turkey also receives only 1/400 share from the whole world and this rate has to increase, Aygun explained.

Turkey needs money and it cannot find foreign credits, therefore arbitration is definitely needed to encourage foreign investments, he emphasized. Aygun also assured that the arbitration would not harm Turkey's interests.

Aygun and Ecevit also discussed Expense Reform which will prevent unnecessary spendings in the government. Ecevit said they already started to work on this reform and it will be passed in the coming days.

[17] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''PART OF REPENTANCE LAW WHICH CONCERNS STUDENTS HAS NOTHING POLITICAL''

When asked if the students who were dismissed from school because of wearing headscarves would benefit from the repentance law, Ecevit said their situation was not political and their dismissal was resulted from poor attendance.

Responding to another question, Prime Minister also said there would be no journalists and others who are sentenced to prison because of thought crimes left in prisons.

''The repentance law has been on Turkey's agenda for a long time and it was accepted by the coalition partners. I hope the Parliament passes it before it recesses,'' he said.

[18] ERSUMER, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''IF COUNCIL OF STATE DIDN'T GET OUT THE CONDITIONALITY OF ARBITRATION IN CONCESSION AGREEMENTS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TODAY''

The parliament concluded its discussion over the proposal foreseeing constitutional change which allows solution of conflicts; stemming from concession contracts and agreements related to public services; by national and international arbitration the same day.

Addressing the parliament, Ersumer said that he is pleased about the compromise seen in the parliament about the proposal. Noting that judiciary organs must also abide with this compromise of the parliament, Ersumer said that the conflicts between judiciary organs and politicans yield results which are against the nation.

Ersumer pointed out that the government didn't claim that dollars would flow into Turkey after the acceptance of the international arbitration, but it would make way for investments which would cause dollars to come to the country.

Stressing that this will also help in solving the problems of the 833 Turkish firms acting abroad, Ersumer stressed that the criticisms made outside the parliament about arbitration don't depend on any technical or legal basis.

Speaking on behalf of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Isın Celebi said that good willing efforts of privatization are prevented by the obstacles in the Constitution.

Ali Tekin from Democratic Left Party (DSP) said ''arbitration has become one of the rules of the play today.''

A.A

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