Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-10-18

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

18 OCTOBER 2000

Wednesday

TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Oct 18, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit immediately called for the resignation of Bulent Ersin Gok, Istanbul Deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), whose name got involved in bribery allegations. Ecevit said, ''we are very sensitive and careful on the issue. We requested the resignation of Gok.''

Meanwhile, a private tv channel broadcasted Musa Kocaman, the consultant of Gok, making bargaining for a foundation land.

KHK ANNULED, PRIVATIZATION CONTINUES IN VAKIFBANK

The Constitutional Court annuled the decree having the force of law (KHK) No. 606 which foresaw the privatization of Vakifbank. However, the Court rejected the request of stopping the execution. The KHK will preserve its validity till the reasoned verdict regarding the annulment is given, as the Constitutional Court did not stop the execution of the KHK. When the reasoned verdict is issued, the procedures which have been carried out so far, would be valid.

TURKISH TEXTILE FIRMS JOIN DUPONT LYCRA CHAIN

Fifteen Turkish firms participated in the Lycra Assured Programme of global textile chain Dupont Lycra in order to increase their competitive power. Fifteen firms including Akin Tekstil, Aksu Iplik, Altinyildiz Mensucat, and Bossa will benefit from advantages of the Lycra Assured Programme including the new developments and technologies in the textile sector.

TURKMENBASI SAYS THEY HAVE PERFECT RELATIONS WITH TURKEY

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had a meeting with Turkmen President Saparmurat Turkmenbasi in Turkmenistan, the second leg of his Central Asian tour. Sezer, during the meeting, said Turkey is aiming to advance relations with Turkmenistan further. The two president also discussed founding a business council between Turkey and Turkmenistan. Signing economy and industry agreements are very important, Sezer said and added that they agreed to complete an economic cooperation programme by 2010.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Turkey and China will compete for the one hundred million U.S. dollars of production facilities investment of the DuPont Lycra. Ayfun Cicek, the Marketing Director of DuPont Lycra in Turkey, said DuPont Lycra will set up a production facility somewhere in the world in one or two years' time, adding that Turkey and China were among the candidate countries for the investment.

Dieter Siegel, the Sales and Marketing deputy President of DuPont, said they were looking for a place for the new investment and that Turkey was among the candidates.

LETTER FROM CEM TO ALBRIGHT

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem sent a letter to Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, and expressed concern that Turkish-U.S. relations would be seriously damaged in case the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians is accepted in the full House.

Cem said, ''this will not only hamper our bilateral relations, but also our joint efforts in many regions to provide stability, including the Middle East.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, said Turkish people would overcome today's problems with the soul of 1919. He said they expected Turkey to be successful in economic reforms, adding that Turkey would enter to the first 10 economies of the world if it becomes successful in implementing reforms. Pearson said many U.S. companies would come to Turkey with new investments if Turkey achieves it.

CIMBOM RETURNS TURKEY AS LEADER

Rangers FC of Scotland and Galatasaray SK drew 0-0 in Tuesday's Champions League Group D match at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, and got the points it wanted. Cimbom continues to be the leader, and will be in the second round with three points it will get from Monaco and S.Graz matches.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

None of the candidates managed to get the vote required to be the Parliament Speaker. Murat Basesgioglu, the Motherland Party (ANAP) Parliamentarian, got 260 votes with the support of the True Path Party (DYP) and Virtue Party (FP). Meanwhile, Omer Izgi from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which was supported by the Democratic Left Party (DSP), got 251 votes. Mail Buyukerman, the Independent Parliamentarian got only one vote.

Basesgioglu and Izgi will compete in the fourth round that will take place on Wednesday.

PRAISE FROM UZBEK PRESIDENT

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer visited Turkmenistan, which is the second stop of his visit to Central Asian countries. Islam Kerimov, the President of Uzbekistan, who met with Sezer on Monday, praised Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Turkish Republic, and noted that he respected and hopeful for the Turkish Armed Forces. Kerimov also said he appreciated the policy and views of General Staff.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Energy saving measures did not yield the desired result. If the dams are not full by December, the power outages will increase to five hours a day, Energy Ministry officials stated. The outages which are now taking place during the day will be shifted to the prime time between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. In the meantime, the Ministry is hoping for the rains to begin soon.

TRNC SWAMPED BY PROTESTS

People from all segments of the society in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are holding demonstrations to protest the government's economic programme, which was advised by Turkey. On Tuesday, there was 95 percent participation in the demonstrations held by 15 labour unions and non- governmental organizations. Life was paralyzed all day due to the strikes. TRNC President's efforts to convince people not to join the demonstrations failed and about 5,000 people joined the demonstrations on Tuesday.

YENI BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

FOOD FESTIVAL IN ATHENS

Turkish dishes will compete with world's most famous cuisine's including China, France, Italy and Taiwan on October 23-30 at the International Cuisine and Food Festival in Athens. Mediterranean Professional Cuisine Managers Association (APMYD) Chairman Hamza Yalcin will represent Turkey at the contest. Yalcin said they would display best samples of Turkish cuisine from stuffed peppers to dry beans at the festival which will last for one week.

SPAIN AND GREECE INTENSIFY PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AFTER

TURKEY HAS SUCCESSFUL TOURISM SEASON

Greece and Spain intensified their promotion activities after Turkey obtained Europe's best results from summer tourism. Oger Tour Chief Advisor Huseyin Baraner said that there would be a very tough competition among European countries in 2001 and stressed that Turkey should use all its means to promote its tourism. As part of promotion activities, Oger Tour will host 1,000 German tourism marketers in Antalya on November 4-8. The marketers, Baraner said, would have the chance to get to know Turkey better through this visit and therefore can promote Turkey better.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Deutsche Bank, one of the leading banks of the world, said Russia, Turkey, South Africa, and Poland were the most attractive countries for investment. Report of the Bank pointed out the effect of decrease in inflation on the economy.

POSITIVE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Russian Federation is getting ready to take steps to further improve economic and trade relations with Turkey. Within the framework of the activities, which will be intensified between October 22 and November 26, Russian Federation Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov will pay an official visit to Turkey. Also, the first Russian Exports Products Fair will be opened in Istanbul after 10 years.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Labor Platform decided to protest the ten percent increase in salaries of civil servants in the first half of 2001, and the attitude of the government in not paying the compulsory savings. A statement released after the meeting of the Labor Platform, pointed out that the budget contradicted with the interests of workers, and retired people. The Platform wanted the government to change the program in favor of the workers.

FIRST SIGNATURE TO BAKU-CEYHAN

The first signatures were put to the final agreements with a ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan within scope of the process of implementation of the Baku- Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project that will carry Azerbaijani main production oil to the world markets.

The agreement on formation of the sponsor group and the host government agreement were initialed in a ceremony which was held at the Ajerbaijani Presidency and presided by Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev.

The agreement on formation of the sponsor group was signed by the investor companies while the host government agreement was signed between the investor companies and the Azerbaijani government in the ceremony in which Turkey was represented by Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO) General Director Osman Demirag and Energy Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Turkoglu.

-PRESIDENT SEZER IN KYRGZSTAN

BISHKEK - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer arrived in Kyrgzstan, which is the third stop of his official tour covering Central Asian Turkish Republics. Sezer is accompanied by his wife Semra, State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu, Energy and Natural Resources Ministry Undersecretary Yurdakul Yigitguden, and several other officials.

President Sezer is scheduled to meet with Askar Akayev, the Kyrgyz President.

-RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS

-WORKS OF THE FULL HOUSE TO CONTINUE ALSO NEXT WEEK

WASHINGTON D.C. - While the sides are waiting anxiously for the fate of the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians, it was reported that the full House would also continue its works next week. The Congress sources, who spoke to A.A correspondent, said the House of Representatives were foreseen to have recess this weekend to continue their election campaign before legislation election in November, yet noted that their working period was extended to at least next week because of the intensity of the program.

The observers said thus the possibility of not voting the resolution in the full House because of limited time, was lessened.

The sources said many of the parliamentarians will attend the funeral ceremony that will be staged for the U.S. sailors who died after explosion in Yemen, and noted that the full House will convene after midnight by Turkish local time to vote some resolutions which could not be completed before.

The voting is not expected to take place today, as the talks of the resolution on so-called genocide on Armenians, have not started yet.

The sources and diplomatic circles said the resolution could be discussed and voted in any time starting as of Thursday and till the date it will recess next week.

The resolution is not officially included on Thursday's agenda, however, Dennis Hastert, the House Speaker from the Republican Party, who supports the Armenian lobby, has the authority to make any resolution he wants to be discussed any time he wants.

Turkey has warned that if the resolution passes from the full House, it will have serious negative repercussions on relations with the U.S. and the efforts to provide stability in a vast region extending from Caucasus to the Middle East.

-TURKEY EXPERT MAKOVSKY SAYS U.S. ADMINISTRATION

SHOULD TAKE CONCRETE STEPS IN ORDER NOT TO LOSE TURKEY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Turkey expert of the think thank institution, Washington Institute, Alan Makovsky said Turkey-U.S. relations would suffer if the U.S. full House passes the resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide and he added that the U.S. administration should take steps in order not to lose Ankara especially in the issue of Iraq.

After releasing his report on the effects of the resolution on Turkey-U.S relations, Makovsky spoke at a panel discussion with Dr.Sabri Sayari, Turkish Studies Institute Director at Georgetown University.

Sayari said that even in 1920's great leader Ataturk reacted to the negative influence of Armenian lobby on Turkey-U.S. relations. In 1927, the U.S. Congress created problem due to the Armenian pressure regarding approval of the Lausanne Treaty, he said and conveyed a dialogue which passed between Ataturk and the then U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Admiral Briston. ''How come a fanatic minority can make an intellectual majority accept its demands in a country like the United States?'' Ataturk had asked Bristol, Sayari said. He commented that today's situation is not much different than that of 1927.

Makovsky, who later spoke, said the U.S. administration should take concrete steps so that Turkey would not change sides on the issue of Iraq. If the U.S. administration fails to take these measures, Makovsky asserted, Turkey could shift to the line of France and Russia which could damage the United States' interests in the region. As an example to solid steps that the United States could take, he said the United States can financially contribute to the Baku-Ceyhan project.

If the resolution is passed, the Turkish government would have to take some counter measures, he said. However, he added, they are not expecting Turkey to close the Ircirlik Base to U.S. planes or ending the mandate of the Operation Northern Watch since both sides have interests in these matters.

Noting that the Incirlik Base plays an important role in Turkey-U.S. relations, Makovsky said the Turkish government might take lighter measures such as temporarily limiting the Operation Northern Watch.

Although it has no binding power, Makovsky said, the resolution caused strong Turkish reaction because of three reasons. First of all, he explained, Turks are thinking that they have been treated unfairly at the international platform. ''Secondly, Turks are regarding the genocide allegations made against their forefathers, Ottomans as very offending. And lastly, they think the resolution might create basis for more serious Armenian demands in the future.''

Dwelling on the economic losses Turkey suffered because of the sanctions against Iraq, Makovsky said the U.S. should compansate for Turkey's losses to a degree.

-BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT

-HOST GOVERNMENT, TURN-KEY DELIVERY AND

GUARANTEE DOCUMENT AGREEMENTS TO BE SIGNED

IN ANKARA ON THURSDAY

ANKARA - Final agreements regarding Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, which will bring Caspian basin oil into western markets, will be signed in Ankara on Thursday. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer will sign ''Host Government,'' agreement; Gokhan Yardim, the Director General of the state run oil pipeline company BOTAS, will sign ''Turn-Key Delivery,'' agreement; and Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp will sign ''Guarantee Document,'' agreement.

The necessary agreements were earlier brought to level of signing with the formation of the sponsor group which undertook financing of the pipeline which would transfer Azerbaijani main production oil to the world markets.

The first signatures were put to the final agreements on Tuesday with a ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan within scope of the process of implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project.

The agreement on formation of the sponsor group was signed by the investor companies while the host government agreement was signed between the investor companies and the Azerbaijani government in the ceremony in which Turkey was represented by Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO) General Director Osman Demirag and Energy Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Turkoglu.

Similar agreements will be signed in Georgia today.

The sponsor group which undertook financing of the pipeline is composed of SOCAR (Azerbaijan), British Petroleum (Britain), UNOCAL (U.S.), STATOIL (Norway), TPAO (Turkey), ITOCHU (Japan), RAMCO (Britain) and Deltahess (Saudi Arabia).

According to the feasibility studies made by German PLE company, the Baku- Ceyhan crude oil pipeline project will cost 2.4 billion U.S. dollars excluding financing expenses and the crude oil.

The pipeline will start from Sangachal terminal near Baku and end at southern Ceyhan province following the Erzurum-Erzincan-Kayseri route via Georgia.

The pipeline is planned to be 1,730 kilometers in length while 468 km part of it will be in Azerbaijan, 225 km in Georgia and 1,037 km in Turkish territories.

Two control and command centers, one in Baku and the other one in Ceyhan, and a monitoring center in Tbilisi were foreseen to be constructed.

Three transfer stations were planned while the data transmission and communication will be provided through satellite systems or a fibre optic cable which would be installed together with construction of the pipeline.

Construction of nine pumping stations, two in Azerbaijan, three in Georgia and four in Turkey, was foreseen.

In accordance with the agreement, 55 cent per barrel transit fee will be collected in first 16 years and there will be a 20 cent tax.

The pipeline will work with 50 percent capacity for the first 16 years and later it will gradually increase and start operating with 100 percent capacity.

The construction of pipeline's part in Turkish territories and Ceyhan terminal will be carried out by BOTAS with turn-key delivery method in return for 1 billion 307 million U.S. dollars.

-DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS TURKEY IS EXPECTING

GROWTH RATE WHICH IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE BY EU

ISTANBUL - Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that Turkish economy has entered a recovery and stability process, after suffering from a shrinkage due to the earthquake disaster and high interest rates in 1999. ''Turkey is expecting a growth rate that is acceptable to the EU,'' Yilmaz satted.

Speaking at the Business Forum organized by Foreign Economic Relations Institution (DEIK), Yilmaz said Turkey has made important progress in the IMF-supported economic programme which was put into implementation beginning of this year.

Despite the negative outside effects such as the increase in oil prices, inflation has dropped its lowest level since 1986, Yilmaz explained. The results obtained in the first eight months of the programme were better than expected, Yilmaz stated and added that the 35 percent drop in interest rates will lighten the interest loan dramatically in the coming days. Turkey also gained 5.1 billion U.S. dollars from privatization this year which is more than Turkey gained in the last two years.

Turkey which is the biggest 17th economy in the world, Yilmaz said has a young and dynamic population.

According to most cautious estimations, Turkish economy is expected to grow 6.6 percent in 2000, Yilmaz said and added that this is an acceptable figure also for the EU.

-PRESIDENT SEZER WELCOMED BY KYRGYZ PRESIDENT AKAEV

IN AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY IN KYRGYZSTAN

BISHKEK - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that his visit to Kyrgyzstan will bring a new acceleration to the relations between the two countries and bring forth very useful results.

President Sezer started his official contacts in Kyrgyzstan the same day.

He was welcomed by the Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev in an official ceremony.

Speaking to the press, President Sezer said that the joint statement signed by the two countries during the President Akaev's visit to Turkey between 1- 2 July, 1999 is a very important document which shows the historical and cultural links between the two countries.

''We'll exchange views with Mr. Akayev about the bilateral relations and focus on new opportunities to further improve and institutionalize the relations. We will also take up the bilateral and multilateral cooperation opportunities against terrorist attacks on Kyrgyzstan,'' said Sezer.

Akaev said in his part that he is very happy about President Sezer's first official visit to his country, adding his country attributes great importance to this visit.

There are special relations between the two countries which are based on brotherhood, Akaev said, pointing out that ''our countries and nations share the same development models based on pluralist democracy and secularism and the same public and political values. The bilateral relations are active and Turkey and Kyrgyzstan support each other in the international arena. Turkey has helped in the development of democratic institutions in our country and has provided support in the structuring of the market economy. She helped us in our joining the international society. I thank the sister Turkey for her continious support to us. Turkey has always besides us on our bad days.''

''The bilateral relations, regional and international problems will be taken up in details during the visit of Mr. Sezer. We'll sign the Joint Statement on Bilateral Cooperation. We'll also sign the Joint Declaration on Struggle with Terrorism,'' said Akaev, stressing that the visit of Sezer constitutes a big step in the relations between the two countries.

-ROBERT PEARSON, AMBASSADOR OF U.S. TO TURKEY EXPRESSES

UNEASINESS ABOUT RESOLUTION ON SOCALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS

SAMSUN - Robert Pearson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey said on Wednesday that they were feeling uneasy about the resolution on socalled genocide on Armenians which was brought to the agenda of the U.S. House of Representatives, and that they were understanding the feelings of the Turkish people about the issue. Robert Pearson who was accompanied with his wife, visited Mehmet Guler, the Governor of northern Samsun province.

This is the first visit of Pearson to an Anatolian province, other than Istanbul, and Ankara.

Mehmet Guler said that they were glad of welcoming an ambassador of an ally country in Samsun.

Addressing the meeting Guler noted that the most significant relations of the history were being shared by the U.S. and Turkey, and said:

''Nevertheless, I would like to express the sensivity of the locals of Samsun on the resolution. We worry that bringing this resolution onto the agenda in such a period, can damage the relations between the two countries.''

Meanwhile, Pearson noted that they came to visit Samsun in order to demonstrate the trust of the American nation to the Turkish nation, and that they believed that the two nations could create a future together.

Pointing out that they were feeling uneasy about the resolution, Pearson said that, the President of the U.S, the Secretary of State, and the prominent leaders of the U.S. had said that they were against the resolution.

Pearson emphasized that they were exerting efforts for the withdrawal of the resolution, adding that the strong relations between Turkey and the U.S. should be preserved.

Guler, later presented a vase to the Ambassador, and a hand made wall board to the wife of the Ambassador.

Robert Pearson presented a book about the history of the U.S., to the Governor.

Pearson, also visited Necati Dundar, the Acting Mayor of Samsun, and said Samsun had an important place in the Independence War of Turkey, and that the Americans were impressed by the courage of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkish Republic.

Pearson, and the accompanying delegation, later visited the Musuem of Samsun, and the Musuem of Ataturk, and Pearson signed the special book.

Robert Pearson will also attend the dinner organized in his honor by the Samsun Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

-ALVARO DE SOTO TO ARRIVE IN CYPRUS ON SUNDAY

LEFKOSA - Unites Nations Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto will arrive in Cyprus on October 22 to hold contacts prior to the fifth round of proximity talks scheduled to start in Geneva, Switzerland on November 1. Alvaro De Soto will separately meet for two times President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Norhthern Cyprus (TRNC) and leader of Greek Cypriot administration Glafcos Clerides.

TRNC President Denktas will receive De Soto on October 23 and 27. De Soto will meet with Clerides on the same dates.

Within the framewok of his contacts, De Soto will also meet representatives of some Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political parties.

De Soto who will hold a meeting with the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council in Cyprus, is expected to stage a press conference after wrapping up his contacts.

De Soto will leave the island on October 28.

-PRESIDENT SEZER IN KYRGYZSTAN

-INTERDELEGATIONARY MEETINGS HELD

-SEZER AND AKAYEV HOLD PRESS BRIEFING

BISHKEK - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that Turkey strongly condemns the terrorist incidents which take as a target the sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Kyrgyzstan and other countries in the region. ''Turkey will continue to support all kind of measures Kygryzstan will take to protect its secular and democratic structure,'' said Sezer.

President Sezer and the Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev headed the interdelegationary meetings held between the two countries.

Two documents on cooperation between the two countries were signed after the interdelegationary meeting.

Sezer and Akayev signed the ''Joint Declaration on Bilateral Relations,'' and ''Joint Declaration on Cooperation Against Terrorism.''

Later the two presidents staged a joint press briefing.

Sezer pointed out that they held very useful meetings with the Kyrgyz President Akayev, adding that ''we stressed our determination to further improve the cooperation between us in every field.''

''We also exchanged views about various regional and international problems which concern our countries. We saw that we share similar views in these issues and the two sides have the necessary political will to further improve the relations,'' said Sezer.

''Our support to Kyrgyzstan will continue also in the future, we signed the joint declaration on cooperation against terrorism today. This declaration is the signal of the importance the two countries give to struggle with terrorism and their cooperation against it,'' Sezer said.

Sezer pointed out that they took up the economic and commercial relations between the two countries with Akayev and they focused on improving the bilateral trade.

Sezer noted that he invited Akayev to the Seventh Summit on Turkish Speaking Countries that will be held in Istanbul next April.

Sezer pointed out that they will always be in solidarity with the Kyrgyz people.

Kyrgyz President Akayev said in his part that they took up all the dimensions of the bilateral relations, adding that they exchanged views to improve these relations.

Akayev said that they agreed to hold the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in November or December.

Expressing pleasure over the support Turkey extended to his country during the terrorist incident that took place in south of Kyrgyzstan last year, Akayev thanked Turkey.

Askar Akayev also pointed out that they took up the development of the cultural relations between the two countries during the meetings.

Akayev pointed out that Sezer proposed to increase the trade volume by 2-3 folds, adding they share the idea.

Akayev added that Sezer's official visit to Kyrgyzstan has been very successful.

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT SEZER IN KYRGYZSTAN

[02] IZGI ELECTED AS NEW PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

[03] ELECTION OF PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

[04] ELECTION OF PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

[01] PRESIDENT SEZER IN KYRGYZSTAN

President Sezer later addressed professors and students at the conference hall of the university.

President Sezer stated that the educational and cultural relations which formed a sound tie between the Turkish and Kyrgyz peoples were rapidly improving.

Noting that the Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University was the most concrete proof of the cooperation between the two countries and friendship and brotherhood between the two peoples that would continue till the end, Preisdent Sezer said that there was no doubt that the university would be an ideal university in the future with its contemporary administration understanding, autonomous structure and skilled personnel.

President Sezer said that Turkey and Kyrgyzstan were expending great efforts to make the university to be one the world's institution which had highest education level.

President Sezer said that the number of students from all Turkish Republics had reached 1,200 in last two years since foundation of the university.

Stating that important progress had been recorded in works on settlement and equipment of the university, President Sezer said that a 600-person dormitory and a broad sports field had been opened, and private radio and television broadcasts has started.

Noting that a big publishing house would be opened in the university and a newspaper would start to be issued in near future, President Sezer said that Turkey would continue to extend every support to development of the university.

Recalling that also the students who came from Turkey were studying at the university, President Sezer said that they considered those young people as one of the most factors in development of cooperation and friendship between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said that the university contributed to development of relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan.

-BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
-TRANSIT GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT SIGNED IN TBILISI
TBILISI - The ''Transit Government Agreement'' was signed with a ceremony in Tbilisi, Georgia on Wednesday within process of implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project that will carry Azerbaijani main production oil to world markets. Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze presided the ceremony that took place at the Georgian Presidential Palace.

The agreement was signed by the Georgian government and the sponsor group that will finance the project.

In the ceremony, Turkey was represented by Osman Demirag, the General Director of the Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO), one of the companies in the sponsor group.

[02] IZGI ELECTED AS NEW PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

Izgi who was graduated from the Law Faculty of Ankara University, had a masters degree in Civil Law in the same faculty.

His books on ''legal cases in practice, action for damages, election laws (consitution, political parties code, law on election of deputies, basic principles of elections) were published.

Izgi who was elected as a deputy in the elections held on April 18, 1999, is married with four children.

[03] ELECTION OF PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

[04] ELECTION OF PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

Speakers of parliament and their mandate periods are follows:

Number of

Parliament Speaker Mandate Round Vote

------------------ ------------------------- ------- ---------
M.Kemal Ataturk 24 Apr 1920 - 29 Oct 1923 First 110

Fethi Okyar 1 Nov 1923 - 22 Nov 1924 First 151

Kazim Ozalp 26 Nov 1924 - 1 Mar 1935 First 133

Abdulhalik Renda 1 Mar 1935 - 5 Aug 1946 First 377

Kazim Karabekir 5 Aug 1946 - 26 Jan 1948 First 379

Fuat Cebesoy 30 Jan 1948 - 1 Nov 1948 First 285

Sukru Saracoglu 1 Nov 1948 - 22 May 1950 First 303

Refik Koraltan 22 May 1950 - 27 May 1960 First 385

Fuat Sirmen 1 Nov 1961 - 22 Oct 1965 Nineth 227

Ferruh Bozbeyli 22 Oct 1965 - 1 Nov 1970 Second 354

Sabit Osman Avci 26 Nov 1970 - 24 Oct 1973 36th 269

Kemal Guven 18 Dec 1973 - 13 Jun 1977 27th 312

Cahit Karakas 17 Nov 1977 - 12 Sep 1980 38th 227

Necmettin Karaduman 4 Dec 1983 - 1 Sep 1985 Second 292

Necmettin Karaduman 12 Sep 1985 - 29 Nov 1987 Third 216

Yildirim Akbulut 24 Dec 1987 - 1 Sep 1989 Third 281

Yildirim Akbulut 11 Sep 1989 - 9 Nov 1989 Third 250

Kaya Erdem 21 Nov 1989 - 20 Oct 1991 Third 270

Husamettin Cindoruk 16 Nov 1991 - 1 Sep 1993 Third 286

Husamettin Cindoruk 14 Sep 1993 - 1 Oct 1995 First 301

Ismet Sezgin 18 Oct 1995 - 24 Dec 1995 Fourth 230

Mustafa Kalemli 25 Jan 1996 - 1 Oct 1997 Fourth 343

Hikmet Cetin 16 Oct 1997 - 18 Apr 1999 Fourth 373

Yildirim Akbulut 20 May 1999 - 31 Sep 2000 Fourth 332

Omer Izgi 18 Oct 2000 - Fourth 264

-CLASHES BETWEEN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL
-BAR-NER, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY:
-''TURKEY SHOULD MAINTAIN ITS FACILITATOR ROLE''
ANKARA - Uri Bar-Ner, the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey, said on Wednesday that Turkey should maintain its facilitator role in the Middle East peace process.

Staging a press conference to inform journalists on the latest situation about clashes between Israel and Palestine, Bar-Ner said that Israel welcomed Turkey's role.

Noting that the ''fact-finding committee'' was envisaged to be formed by Palestine, Israel and the U.S., Bar-Ner told reporters that if the sides wanted, persons might join the committee.

Bar-Ner said that not countries but persons might take place in the committee.

When asked whether or not Turkey would have a role in this committee, Bar- Ner said that international organizations such as the European Union (EU) and United Nations might take place in the committee.

He noted that if Palistine, Israel and the U.S. considered it beneficial, Turkey could potentially send a person to the committee.

Underlining the importance of the summit which would be held among the Arab countries on Saturday, Bar-Ner told reporters that he did not think demonstrations to come to an end till the summit as Palestinian President Yasser Arafat would want to go the summit as a strong leader.

Bar-Ner said that if Palestinians put an end to ''violence'', they would not open fire any more.

Noting that Israeli side announced that it had put an end to violence in accordance with the verbal agreement reached at the two-day emergency summit at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Bar-Ner added that Palestinian side had not yet released a similar statement.

-BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
-TRANSIT GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT SIGNED IN TBILISI (2)
-GEORGIAN PRESIDENT SHEVARDNADZE: ''CONSTRUCTION
OF PIPELINE WILL BE FINALIZED IN 2004''
TBILISI - The ''Transit Government Agreement'' was initialed with a ceremony in Tbilisi, Georgia on Wednesday within process of implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project that will carry Azerbaijani main production oil to world markets.

Speaking at the ceremony, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said that the construction of the pipeline would be concluded in 2004.

Recalling that Azerbaijan had left its share in transit tariff price to Georgia by taking into consideration interests of Tbilisi, Shevardnedze said that the relations would further develop when the project was finalized.

Noting that annually 20-25 million tons of Kazakh oil would also be carried through the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, the Georgian President said that the basic engineering works would be finalized within eight months.

Speaking at a press conference which was staged following the ceremony, Azerbaijani State Oil Company (SOCAR) President Natik Aliyev said that he believed the number of investor companies which would finance the project would increase in the future.

International consortium AIOC President David Woodword said that the project would never be affected by the oil prices in international market.

The agreement was initialed by the Georgian government and the sponsor group that will finance the project.

In the ceremony, Turkey was represented by Osman Demirag, the General Director of the Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO), one of the companies in the sponsor group.

-PRESIDENT SEZER IN KYRGYZSTAN
-PRESIDENT AKAYEV OF KYRGYZSTAN HOSTS
DINNER IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT SEZER
BISHKEK - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who is currently paying an official visit to Kyrgyzstan, said on Wednesday, ''one of the main targets of the Turkish foreign policy is to strengthen cooperation with Central Asian countries in every field.''

''Turkey is very sensitive about risks and threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking and fundamentalism jeopardizing security in Central Asia, and their negative consequences in balances and stability in the region,'' the President stated.

President Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan hosted a dinner in honor of President Sezer.

Addressing the dinner, President Sezer said that he had held productive, beneficial and comprehensive talks with Kyrgyz officials.

''One of the important reasons of my visit to Kyrgyzstan is to confirm that we are determined to maintain our dialogue with Kyrgyzstan. Relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan have reached a level that can be described as perfect, on the basis of friendship, equality and mutual respect. Kyrgyzstan has recorded great progress in democracy and transition into market economy

with its political reforms since it acquired its independence. Turkey appreciates this progress. Turkey believes that these reforms would be successful, and that Kyrgyzstan would overcome all difficulties of transition period,'' he stressed.

President Sezer described last year's parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan as a significant step in Kyrgyzstan's democratization process.

He said, ''statement on 'Turkey and Kyrgyzstan: Together in the 21st Century' which was adopted last summer within framework of 'Eternal Friendship and Cooperation Agreement' is one of the most important documents forming the basis of improving relations. One of the main targets of the Turkish foreign policy is to strengthen cooperation with Central Asian countries in every field. Turkey is very sensitive about risks and threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking and fundamentalism jeopardizing security in Central Asia, and their negative consequences in balances and stability in the region. Turkey is opposed to any development that can jeopardize security and stability in Central Asian countries. I believe that declaration of Turkey's European Union (EU) candidacy would accelerate our currently existing relations with Central Asian countries. If we can connect it to the 'Silk Road Diplomacy' which aims at reviving Silk Road of Kyrgyzstan and developing cooperation between the West and the East, we can set up a strong strategical ties between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan.''

Expressing his sorrow over Batken incidents, President Sezer noted, ''we wish that these incidents would come to an end without damaging Kyrgyzstan's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.''

''Turkey will support Kyrgyzstan's every decision to protect its democratic and secular structure,'' President Sezer emphasized.

Referring to economic relations between the two countries, President Sezer said, ''although important progress has been recorded in economic relations since Kyrgyzstan acquired its independence, current situation is far away from desired level. We should take concrete measures to improve our economic relations. Trade volume between the two countries decreased nearly 50 percent in 1999 as a result of negativities in international economic conditions. I believe that consultation mechanisms such as Joint Economic Comission meetings, should be activated to revive our economic relations.

President Sezer noted that relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan in fields of education of culture had been continuing to further improve.

Meanwhile, President Akayev said in his part that they appreciated Turkey's success in its development.

Noting that Turkey had gained credit and esteem in the international platform by proving sustainability of Turkish model including the elements of fruitful market economy, democratic and secular state, President Akayev said, ''announcement of Turkey's candidacy to the EU is a brilliant example of this. We wish that Turkey would become a full member of the EU as soon as possible. We hope that relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan would further improve and consolidate under the distinguished leadership of President Sezer.''

President Akayev underlined importance of development of cooperation between the two countries.

Noting that they attributed great importance to further improvement of economic relations with Turkey, President Akayev added that they would provide appropriate conditions to encourage Turkish businessmen to invest in Kyrgyzstan.

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