Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-11

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AA Daily

11 August 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] PARLIAMENT ACCEPTS SECOND AND THIRD ARTICLES OF PROPOSAL ENVISAGING CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION

[02] FIRST TOUR OF DISCUSSIONS ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE OVER INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION ENDS

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[04] TURKISH RAISINS ALL AROUND THE WORLD

[05] RICHARDSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DUE IN TURKEY ON AUGUST 16

[06] RESTRUCTURING AGRICULTURE - GOKALP, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE: ''TURKEY WILL ENTER 2000 WITH PROJECTS AND LAWS THAT WILL INTEGRATE AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY''

[07] CICEK FROM FP ASKS FOR GENERAL DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTHERN IRAQ

[08] SOLAR ECLIPSE - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THIS EVENT RECALLS GREAT SIZE OF UNIVERSE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT''

[09] DAWOUD, SYRIAN TOURISM MINISTER, IN ISTANBUL - DAWOUD, THE GUEST MINISTER, VISITS ISTANBUL GOVERNOR

[10] ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN AMIK PLAIN - PROF. DR. YENER: ''A TOTAL OF 236 TUMULUSES IN THE AMIK PLAIN ARE THE INDICATORS OF THE WEALTH OF THE CIVILIZATIONS IN THE REGION''

[11] DRAFT LAW ON SOCIAL SECURITY - ATAC, LABOUR PLATFORM SPOKESMAN: ''DRAFT LAW SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA OF PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY''

[12] LABOUR PLATFORM DISTRIBUTES ANNOUNCEMENT IN ANKARA'S KIZILAY SQUARE

[13] HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'S CALL OF GIVING UP ARMS - FM: ''WE DON'T CONSIDER STATEMENTS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'S MEMBERS WORTH OF MAKING EVALUATION''

[14] TURKISH-IRANIAN RELATIONS - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE EXPECT THE DELEGATIONS TO REACH A POSITIVE SOLUTION IN THE END OF THE SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING''

[15] KDP DEMANDS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK TO LEAVE NORTHERN IRAQ

[16] DRAFT LAW ON REPENTANCE OPENED TO SIGNATURE

[17] PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PROPOSAL CONCERNING CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN POLITICAL PARTIES LAW WILL BE DISCUSSED AFTER DISCUSSIONS ON DRAFT LAW ON TAXATION

[18] CHANGE IN TAX LAW - ORAL, MINISTER OF FINANCE: ''NO CONCESSION IS GIVEN TO ANY SECTION OF SOCIETY BY THE CHANGE''

[19] SOME MEMBERS OF LABOUR UNION OF TRANSPORTATION FILE A SUIT ABOUT ECEVIT, BAHCELI, YILMAZ, MINISTERS, LEADERS OF PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT; ACCUSING THEM OF TREASON

[20] LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF CENTURY OBSERVED IN AMASYA WITH TUNES OF VIENNA SYMPONY ORCHESTRA

[21] CHANGE IN TAX LAW - TWO ARTICLES OF DRAFT LAW ADOPTED

[22] LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF CENTURY OBSERVED IN MANY PARTS OF TURKEY

[23] CAY, MINISTER OF STATE, IN MOSCOW

[24] PRISONERS OF BUCA PRISON OF IZMIR INJURE FOUR GUARDIANS

[01] PARLIAMENT ACCEPTS SECOND AND THIRD ARTICLES OF PROPOSAL ENVISAGING CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION

The second Article of the proposal foreseeing change in the Article 125 of the Constitution, allows solution of conflicts stemming from concession contracts and agreements related to public services, by national and international arbitration.

Meanwhile, upon a joint proposal of all groups, a provision was added in the second Article concerning that only the conflicts including foreign elements will be solved by international arbitration.

A total of 442 deputies participated in the voting held for the second Article of the proposal. 405 deputies voted for and 22 deputies voted against the article. 11 deputies abstained, while four votes were considered invalid.

According to the third Article, the Council of State will express opinion about the concession contracts and agreements related to public services within two months instead of investigating the contracts and agreements.

A total of 390 deputies participated in the voting held for the third Article of the proposal. 368 deputies voted for and 17 deputies voted against the article. Four deputies abstained, while one vote was considered invalid.

[02] FIRST TOUR OF DISCUSSIONS ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE OVER INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION ENDS

Among the 382 deputies, 362 of them voted for the change, 16 deputies voted against it while 4 of them abstained.

According to the Article 93 of internal regulations, the second tour of meetings on the constitutional change will take place after 48 hours. It was decided to hold the meeting on August 13, Friday. During Friday's meetings only new proposals on the law will be discussed, the existing articles will not be debated.

If the number of deputies who vote for the proposal drops below two thirds of 367, there will be a referandum.

Vecdi Gonul, the Acting Parliament Speaker, closed the meeting which will restart at 10 a.m.

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

PARLIAMENT APPROVES INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
The Parliament discussed the constitutional change on international arbitration on Wednesday. The first Article of the draft law was accepted by 416 votes after talks that lasted until Wednesday morning. Parliament's Constitutional Commission approved in one hour the Political Parties Law which was turned into a bargaining issue by the Virtue Party. The constitutional change which will open the way to politics for Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the closed Welfare Party (FP), will be discussed at the General Council on Wednesday.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Turkish Airlines organized special tours to Kayseri, Elazig, Malatya and Sivas. Many tv channels will have live broadcasts. All the hotels from Bartin to Diyarbakir are full with tourists who came to watch the eclipse.

RECEP ONAL, STATE MINISTER IN CHARGE OF ECONOMY, : ''RELATIONS WITH IMF ARE
GOOD''

Recep Onal, the State Minister in charge of economy, said he was working to implement the economic package which was announced on the day he was appointed to his post and added that they reached the last stage on its implementation. ''International institutions see that democracy works well in Turkey and the government is strong enough. This gives us confidence. Our relations with IMF are positive and continuing according to the calender which was decided on earlier,'' Onal told Milliyet.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

DIDEM SEVDA MINDAY TO BECOME HEALTH ECONOMY ADVISOR
AT WHITE HOUSE
Didem Sevda Minday from Bursa will serve as health economy advisor to U.S. President Clinton starting next October. Minday who is 30 years old believes that her research on the effects of free market competition on health sector spendings helped her to be selected for the post. ''15 percent of the national income is spent in the health sector in the U.S.. Therefore the government is in the process of making reforms to control health expenses,'' Minday explained.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CUMHUR ASPARUK APPOINTED AS NEW SECRETARY GENERAL OF NSC
General Cumhur Asparuk was appointed as the new Secretary General of the National Security Council (NSC).

RADIKAL (LEFT)

MURDERER OF DENIZER ARRESTED
Cengiz Balik, who killed Semsi Denizer, the Secretary General of the Confederation of the Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) and the Chairman of the General Miners' Union (GMIS), and Engin Girgin, who is claimed to be involved in the murder on Friday night, were arrested by the court on duty.

HISTORICAL DECISION IN PARLIAMENT
The General Council of the Parliament accepted the first, the second and the third articles of the proposal envisaging constitutional change about international arbitration. The second round vote about the proposal foreseing solution of conflicts stemming from concession contracts and agreements related to public services, by national and international arbitration, will be held on Friday.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

Bingol province, was killed. Clash erupted between village guards and a group of terrorists in the rural area near Icpinar village of Ilicilar county of Bingol. One female terrorist was killed in the clash. Officials said that operations are underway in the region to capture the other terrorists.

FRIENDSHIP MESSAGE FROM TEHRAN
Turkish-Iranian Supreme Security Commission meeting which focused on the issues such as border security, struggle against terrorism and drug trafficking, started in Ankara yesterday. Addressing the meeting

Yahya Gur, Undersecretary of Interior Ministry, said that relations between Turkey and Iran were based on history and friendship. Gulam Hussein Bolandiyan, Iranian Deputy Interior Minister, said that his participation in the meetings is an indicator of the Iran Islamic Republic's good will.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Noting that they are definitely not playing tricks, Ocalan pointed out, ''Peace is now a strategy for us. If the state wants the arms to be laid down, it should create the right conditions.''

[04] TURKISH RAISINS ALL AROUND THE WORLD

Kapkac told the A.A correspondent that they were trying to catch last year's figures in raisin export and surpassed last year in the export of other dried fruits. Raisin export dropped slightly, from 203,000 tons in 1998 tons to 197,000 tons this year. Export of dried apricots and figs, on the other hand, climbed in 1999.

''There was a significant drop in the U.S.'s raisin production. Australia was able to produce only 19,800 tons while expecting a figure between 35, 000 and 40,000 tons. All this raised hopes in Turkey. But Iran exported a very high amount of raisins at very low prices,'' Kapkac explained.

If Turkey closes the season with 197,000 tons of exported raisins, there will be a three percent drop compared to last year. ''But we must consider that last year was an extraordinary season,'' Kapkac noted.

He stressed that Turkey was a very rich exporter in dried fruits and exported its products to 79 countries.

[05] RICHARDSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DUE IN TURKEY ON AUGUST 16

The energy sources in the U.S. said that contacts of Richardson, who is expected to be received by President Suleyman Demirel, will focus on the latest developments in the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project and in the Caspian natural gas.

The same sources added that Richardson will also discuss the possible effects of the new natural gas sources which have been discovered recently in Azerbaijan, on the regional energy equation.

Richardson is expected to come together with Azeri President Haydar Aliev in Baku on August 17, and with Turkmen President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi in Ashkhabad on August 18.

Richardson will be the first U.S. Secretary of Energy who pays an official visit to the region within one and a half year.

Meanwhile, it is not clear yet whether or not John Wolf, who have been appointed as the U.S. President Bill Clinton's new Special Representative to the Caspian Region, will accompany Richardson during his visit.

In accordance with the principle agreement signed between Turkey and Turkmenistan, 16 billion cubic metres of Turkmen natural gas is planned to be sent annually to Turkey via Azerbaijan and Georgia.

As the financial difficulties and disagreements on the statute of the Caspian Sea continue, Azerbaijan states that transportation of Azeri natural gas to Turkey should be given priority.

The international enery sources in Washington D.C. described the discovery of new natural gas sources in Azerbaijan as a development which will change the enery equation in the region, adding that Richardson can scrutinize his country's policy towards the Caspian enery sources.

[06] RESTRUCTURING AGRICULTURE - GOKALP, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE: ''TURKEY WILL ENTER 2000 WITH PROJECTS AND LAWS THAT WILL INTEGRATE AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY''

''First we will present agricultural reform laws as a package to the government and to the Parliament. We are nearing the end of these activities. We call this 'structuring of agriculture'. Our farmers must be registered to form an agricultural data base. This project will be put into practice very soon to find out what our farmers plant, how much they earn, and what their problems are,'' Gokalp explained.

A good organization in agriculture is essential, the Minister stressed and continued:

''All we aim is to increase productivity. There are Department of Rural Affairs, State Water Affairs and Agricultural Reform Department, all working for the same purpose. This chaos must be removed. We need to restructure offices.''

Speaking about land usage, Gokalp said they would also discuss land consolidation and distribution of large fields to farmers.

The Minister also noted that they would bring product insurance for the farmers.

''Turkey will enter 2000 with projects and laws that will integrate agriculture and industry,'' Gokalp concluded.

[07] CICEK FROM FP ASKS FOR GENERAL DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTHERN IRAQ

Holding a press briefing in the parliament, Cicek claimed that the developments that take place in Northern Iraq can effect the unitary structure of Turkey.

Noting that elections were held in Northern Iraq and a parliament and government were formed, Cicek said that ''recently it has been said that Barzani will hoist a flag and declare national anthem. It is also claimed that he will mint. The peace process in the Middle East can help in the formation of an independent state in this region. While Turkey is dealing with other issues, she can face a fait accompli in Northern Iraq.''

Cicek stressed that the events taking place in Northern Iraq should be discussed in detail in the parliament in respect of protecting the Turcoman existance in Northern Iraq and its own unitary structure.

Responding to a question, Cicek said that the refugees who are particularly in Norway are transferred to Northern Iraq. ''This issue is important when one remembers the foundation of the Israeli state,'' he added.

[08] SOLAR ECLIPSE - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''THIS EVENT RECALLS GREAT SIZE OF UNIVERSE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT''

''Will you watch the solar eclipse?'' asked journalists to Ecevit, who said that ''I don't think that I will have time to watch it. It has speeded up tourism in Turkey, human beings' being conscious of the universe is very important. We shouldn't see the universe from our litte world and lives.''

[09] DAWOUD, SYRIAN TOURISM MINISTER, IN ISTANBUL - DAWOUD, THE GUEST MINISTER, VISITS ISTANBUL GOVERNOR

Addressing the visit Cakir said he was pleased to see Dawoud in Istanbul.

Briefing the guest minister about Istanbul's tourism, Governor Cakir said most of the tourists who came to Turkey visited Istanbul, adding that tourism incomes of the city was 2.5 million U.S. dollars last year.

Pointing out that the two countries shared the same geography, history, culture and religion, Cakir said ''we expect the border to be the one which unites us not separating Turkey and Syria.''

Cakir mentioned the importance of cooperation in tourism and said ''I personally hope that Turkey and Syria will make cooperation and share each others' experience. I think this visit is a good opportunity to improve this.''

Meanwhile, the guest minister Dawould stressed the importance of cooperation for strong relations between the two countries, adding that cooperation should be made in every field to reach joint targets.''

Dawood recalled that an agreement was signed in 1982 between Turkey and Syria envisaging cooperation in the field of tourism.

The Syrian minister said tourism incomes of these two countries were very low although they are the cradle of civilization, adding that ''this country is the source of many historical events. Western country get the biggest share from the cake because they have cooperation. There is not cooperation between the countries which are in our region. Number of tourists will increase if we make cooperation.''

[10] ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN AMIK PLAIN - PROF. DR. YENER: ''A TOTAL OF 236 TUMULUSES IN THE AMIK PLAIN ARE THE INDICATORS OF THE WEALTH OF THE CIVILIZATIONS IN THE REGION''

Yener told A.A correspondent that the excavation consists of 20 persons, including 12 U.S. citizens, and that they started the excavations two years ago.

Yener noted that there are 236 tumuluses found at the moment and that they think that there are many other tumuluses in the region; adding that the history of the Telkurdu tumulus goes back to 7,000 years ago.

Stressing that they found out significant findings in the end of their excavations, Yener stated that it is a very saddening thing that the history was destroyed by the villagers living in the region by using the region as cultivated fields.

[11] DRAFT LAW ON SOCIAL SECURITY - ATAC, LABOUR PLATFORM SPOKESMAN: ''DRAFT LAW SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA OF PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY''

Addressing a press conference, Atac noted that the draft law on social security should be changed after a compromise was reached between the social sides and the government and that it should be taken into agenda in the new legistation term.

Atac stated that the Labour Platform closely pursues the issues including the increase in the salaries of the public workers and the pensions of the retired persons, the privatization, the international arbitration and the agriculture and the animal breeding policies.

Atac added that they will put forward their stances with determination against the developments which will negatively affect the country and the workers.

[12] LABOUR PLATFORM DISTRIBUTES ANNOUNCEMENT IN ANKARA'S KIZILAY SQUARE

The announcement included the Labour Platform's ideas about the Draft Law on Social Security and the proposal concerning a constitutional change for the international arbitration issue.

The announcement said that the arbitration have some arrangements which will limit the authorities of the national jurisdiction.

Stressing that the Labour Platform continues its sensitive protests against the 20 percent increase in the salaries of the public workers and the pensions of the retired persons and the international arbitration with determination, the announcement stated that the public opinion should be informed about the arbitration issue.

The announcement said, ''the Labour Platform feels concern about taking the privatization under guarantee and contradicts these initiatives with the country's independence by taking into consideration the arrangements which limited the authorities of the national jurisdiction and the damages caused by these arrangements. Labour Platform will continue its efforts to inform the public opinion about the realities concerning the constitutional change which will accelerate the plunder of the privatization.''

[13] HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'S CALL OF GIVING UP ARMS - FM: ''WE DON'T CONSIDER STATEMENTS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'S MEMBERS WORTH OF MAKING EVALUATION''

Responding to a question about the call of the head of the terrorist organization and the possibility of change of balances in Northern Iraq during a press briefing, Atacanlı said that ''we are concerned about the balances in Northern Iraq, we will do what is necessary due to the developments.''

When asked whether or not measures were taken regarding the prevention of the passage of terrorists to Northern Iraq, Atacanlı said that he didn't think that a special measure was taken, adding the necessary security measures are always taken in the border region.

Responding to a question about the attitude of Turkey about the clashes in Dagestan, Atacanlı said that there is nothing to add to the earlier statement issued about it. Atacanlı noted that instability came out in the region and this has to be ended as soon as possible.

[14] TURKISH-IRANIAN RELATIONS - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE EXPECT THE DELEGATIONS TO REACH A POSITIVE SOLUTION IN THE END OF THE SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING''

Atacanli staged the weekly press conference and responded the questions of the journalists.

When asked whether or not any problems occured during the meetings of the Turkish and Iranian delegations, Atacanli noted that he thinks that the understanding of cooperation and the good will will make the two delegations reach a positive result in the end of their meetings.

When asked how much the demands of Turkey can be included in the memorandum of understanding which will be signed today, Atacanli stated that it is not appropriate to make any comments as long as the meetings continue.

Responding another question about the report of the Turkish delegation which carried out observations in Iran, Atacanli said that they have not received the report yet and that the meetings in Ankara do not cover this issue directly. Atacanli added they will make an evaluation after they receive the report.

When recalled that Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, called Kamal Kharrazi, Iranian Foreign Minister, on the phone after two Turkish soldiers detained by Iran were released; Atacanli said that the two ministers earlier came together in Sarajevo and recalled that Kharrazi told Cem that he would carry out efforts for the release of the two soldiers.

Atacanli added that Cem called Kharrazi on the phone to thank him after the release of the soldiers.

[15] KDP DEMANDS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK TO LEAVE NORTHERN IRAQ

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said that a KDP official asked the terrorist organization to stop their interference with their internal affairs, adding ''they are trying to demolish our region. The PKK elements have been the source of instability and threat of the regional peace.''

Safeen Dizayee, the KDP Representative to Ankara told A.A. correspondent that he hoped the supporters of the terrorist organization will implement their decision of withdrawing from Turkey and lay down arms.

''The PKK killed many people in our region, they are working to bring further ruin and devastation. The PKK elements have turned into a source of lasting insecurity and instability and caused many villages to be evacuated in Northern Iraq. I suppose they are sincere about their proposal of ceasefire, but this does not mean that our territories will be used by the PKK as a base in their attacks against the Turkish security forces,'' he said.

''As far as we know there is no PKK militant who passed the Bahdinan region. If PKK is sincere, there is no use for it to pass to this region,'' he added.

The terrorist organization had announced that it would take its supporters out of Turkey starting from September 1 and proposed ceasefire to KDP peshmergas.

[16] DRAFT LAW ON REPENTANCE OPENED TO SIGNATURE

The officials told A.A correspondent that in accordance with the law, the members of the terrorist organization who did not participate in any of the attacks and those who surrendered to the security forces will probably not be punished by the verdict of the court.

The officials said that the studies on the Drat Law on Repentance was completed and was opened to the signature of the Council of Ministers; adding that the draft law is expected to be discussed in the Parliamentary Justice Commission in the following days.

The officials noted that the founders of the terrorist organization, the administrative and commander staff of the organization cannot benefit from the Law on Repentance.

Under a provision which was not included in the former repentance laws but is included in the draft law, the members of the terrorist organization who killed and injured the Turkish soldiers.

The Draft Law on Repentance foresees not punishing the members of the terrorist organization and the gradual reduction of punishment. In accordance with this provision, those who did not participate in any of the attacks of the terrorist organization, those who surrendered to the security forces and those who help the security forces for the collapse of the organization will not be punished in case the Director General of Security and the Interior Ministry confirmed this information.

The punishment of those who help the collapse of the terrorist organization with the information they give, will be gradually reduced. This reduction of punishment will change in accordance with at what stage the member of the terrorist organization said that he is regretful and with the information he/she gives.

If the Draft Law on Repentance takes effect, it will be in effect for six months after it is issued in the Official Gazette. The members of the terrorist organization who surrendered within this period or those whose interrogation continues, whose trial process continues or who was sentenced to some punishments can apply to a court demanding that they want to benefit from the law. The court will give the final verdict in all these conditions.

[17] PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PROPOSAL CONCERNING CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN POLITICAL PARTIES LAW WILL BE DISCUSSED AFTER DISCUSSIONS ON DRAFT LAW ON TAXATION

The group acting leaders of the five political parties at the parliament submit a proposal concerning the discussion of the proposal on the political parties law which was accepted in the Constitutional Commission without waiting for two days.

The deputies accepted this proposal in the voting and the discussion of the political parties law was made the first item of the agenda of the parliamentary general assembly.

The proposal concerning a constitutional change on the political parties law will be discussed after the discussions on the draft law which changes the taxation laws.

[18] CHANGE IN TAX LAW - ORAL, MINISTER OF FINANCE: ''NO CONCESSION IS GIVEN TO ANY SECTION OF SOCIETY BY THE CHANGE''

Addressing the parliament about the draft law, Oral said that no concession is given to any section of the society, adding ''the only thing which the draft law gives concession is economy. The change will revive economy and all sections of the society will benefit from that.''

Recalling that the government foresaw to take new economic and financial measures to rescue the economy from financial difficulties, Oral said that the tax system has to closely monitor the economy.

''If the economic system is active, you will collect taxes, but if this is not the case, you can't collect taxes sufficiently,'' said Oral, adding the draft law postpones the financial zero year and the interim tax is re- arranged in line with the daily conditions.

Stressing that simplicity and plainless will be the basic principle in tax system, Oral said that a structure based on trust between taxpayer and tax administration must be formed and this will increase the tax revenues.

The parliament decided to discuss the articles of the draft law after the discussion.

[19] SOME MEMBERS OF LABOUR UNION OF TRANSPORTATION FILE A SUIT ABOUT ECEVIT, BAHCELI, YILMAZ, MINISTERS, LEADERS OF PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT; ACCUSING THEM OF TREASON

A group of 20 persons who came in front of the Istanbul Justice Office, opened a banner saying ''International Arbitration is Treason,'' and shouted slogans against the change that will be made in the Constitution.

Ali Rıza Kucukosmanoglu, the Chairman of Nakliyat-Is, said that they call everybody who love his/her country to struggle against arbitration which ''hands over the country to the imperialist monopolies.''

Later, Kucukosmanoglu submitted the petitition they prepared to Istanbul Chief Prosecutorship to be sent to Ankara Chief Prosecutorship.

The petitition claimed that the law is an agreement which gives sovereignty of the state to multinational firms.

The petitition of Nakliyat-Is noted that the Arbitration Law is against some articles of the Constitution and Turkish Penal Code.

[20] LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF CENTURY OBSERVED IN AMASYA WITH TUNES OF VIENNA SYMPONY ORCHESTRA

Erkan Mumcu, Tourism Minister, Osman Durmus, Health Minister, and Ramazan Mirzaoglu, State Minister, observed the total solar eclipse from the observatory center which was set up Gokhoyuk that was 22 kilometres away from Amasya.

The total solar eclipse started at 2.27.43 p.m. in Amasya. The observers screamed and clapped their hands.

Despite it was cloudy, the eclipse could be observed. A bright halo occured around the sun at the moment of the eclipse and the stars could be seen. The total eclipse ended at 2.29.53 p.m.

The foreigners listened to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra with a great interest. The Orchestra was conducted by famous conductor Claudius Traunfellner. The concert of the Orchestra started thirty minutes before the solar eclipse and gave a five-minute interval at the moment of the total solar eclipse. The Orchestra ended their concert by playing the valses of Strauss and Ludwig V. Beethoven's Turkish March.

Thousands of people observed the total solar eclipse in Amasya.

[21] CHANGE IN TAX LAW - TWO ARTICLES OF DRAFT LAW ADOPTED

The first article of the law includes the new arrangement that will be made in Article 86/1-a of the Income Tax Law. Due to the change, wages from which tax is paid through deduction, won't be subject to tax declaration.

The second article foresees payment of interim tax in every six months rather than three months and it authorizes the Council of Ministers to decrease the interim tax periods to three months and their term of payments and declaration as the 15th night of the second month following the three- month period.

[22] LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF CENTURY OBSERVED IN MANY PARTS OF TURKEY

The line covered Kastamonu, Corum, Merzifon, Amasya, Turhal, Tokat, Sivas, Elazig, Diyarbakir and Batman.

Central Sivas province which firstly observed the partial eclipse at 1.13 p.m., observed the total solar eclipse at 2.34 p.m.

Aydin Guclu, Sivas Governor, said that Sivas was one of the places where the solar eclipse can be observed the best and that a total of 8,000 guests, half of which were foreigners, came to Sivas to watch the solar eclipse.

When the solar eclipse started in Cizre county of southeastern Sirnak province, the vehicles turned on their headlights and the lamps of the streets and roads were lit. Whole of Diyarbakir lived night when it was in fact day for a short time. The total solar eclipse which started at 2.40 p.m. in Diyarbakir, ended at 2.42 p.m.

The U.S. and Japanese scientists which brought their telescopes to Bagdere county of Diyarbakir, watched the solar eclipse every second.

Harput region of eastern Elazig province was another place from where the total solar eclipse can be observed the best. That is why a total of 1,100 foreign scientists and tourists came to this region.

The last solar eclipse of the century was also observed in Batman, historical Hasankeyf site, Siirt and Cizre county of Sirnak.

Meanwhile, the eastern Tunceli, Bingol, Erzincan, Mus, Ardahan and Igdir and Erzurum are the other places which could observe the solar eclipse.

The solar eclipse started at 1.13 p.m. in Erzurum and the real eclipse was observed at 2.40 p.m.

[23] CAY, MINISTER OF STATE, IN MOSCOW

The Russian Foreign and Domestic Trade Ministry officials were also in attendence at the opening ceremony.

Following the opening ceremony, a press conference was held upon the Seventh Turkish-Russian Business Council Meeting which was scheduled to take place in Antalya between August 14 and 15.

Addressing the press conference, Yavuz Kilic, the Co-Chairman of the Council, said Turkey attaches importance to close economic relations with Russia, stressing that the Council makes contributions to this end.

Emphasizing that a striking decrease was observed in the commercial relations between the two countries following the financial crisis in Russia that started in August 1998, Kilic said, ''this does not concern us. Because the entrepreneurs of our two countries are seeking ways to setrengthen the cooperation.''

Pointing out that encouraging small and medium scale entrepreneurship in Russia will be one of the most important issues of the Business Council meeting in Antalya, Kilic said a fund will be set up to this end and its activities will also be open to the entrepreneurs of the third countries.

[24] PRISONERS OF BUCA PRISON OF IZMIR INJURE FOUR GUARDIANS

The officials of the prison told A.A correspondent that some prisoners who are kept in the prison for terrorist crimes, attacked the guardians during the counting and that they slightly injured four guardians.

The officials said that the guardians were treated in a hospital and were later sent back to the prison.

The officials noted that the protestors set up a barricade, locked the doors and did not let the guardians count the number of the prisoners.

Stressing that the protestors wanted to have a right to meet with the female prisoners once a week, the officials stated that to this end, they did not let the guardians count the number of the prisoners for a week.

A.A

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