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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

24 NOVEMBER 2000 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] CYPRUS SUMMIT AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ENDS (1)

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT (1):

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER APPROVES LAW ON PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC BANKS

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT (2): ''IF EU HAD NOT ATTEMPTED TO DEAL

[06] CYPRUS SUMMIT AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ENDS (3)

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The insurance cost, which will be paid to the relatives in case of death, will be 10 billion Turkish lira.

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR GUIDE
Turkey and Ukraine decided to improve cooperation in defense industry, with concrete projects. Leonid Kuchma, the Ukrainian President, currently in Ankara as the official guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, called on Turkish businessmen to invest in his country, and said they took the success recorded by Turkey, as the guide. The two countries signed eight agreements during the visit of Kuchma.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

PUBLIC DOES NOT WANT
The public poll which was held in 18 provinces, revealed that most of the people were against the amnesty law. According to the poll which was made by the Study Research by meeting people face to face, the citizens think the amnesty was not necessary. People are also against inclusion of those who emptied the coffers of the banks, within the scope of the law. The 65 percent of people favor amnesty of criminals who are in prisons because of their thoughts.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MULTINATIONAL TEXTILE FACTORY TO BE SET UP IN SANLIURFA
A multinational textile factory wil be established in southeastern Sanliurfa province with the partnership of two Turkish, one Swiss and an Italian company. Turkish Transturk and Profilo company, Swiss CofibSA and Italian Franzoni Group SA will set up a factory which will produce cotton yarn, blue jean and textile clothes. Releasing a statement, Faruk Suren, the Chairman of the executive board of the Transturk Holding said, great sums of foreign currency income would be obtained from the export of the products that would be manufactured in the factory.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Moscovici, who responded to the questions of L'Alsace newspaper, claimed that human rights, democracy, respect to the rights of minorities, as well as relations between the army and the political institutions created problem to Turkey's membership.

ECEVIT: WE ARE NOT SATISFIED
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who met with Lord George Robertson, the NATO Secretary General, said, ''Turkey's rights are violated. Military decisions of the EU linked with NATO will be taken apart from us. It is impossible for us to accept this.''

LIMITATION TO SEZER'S AUTHORITIES
Deputies of the opposition parties supported President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, as a draft law was under discussion in the commission. The draft, limiting the authorities of the President, was brought onto the agenda after President Sezer contradicted with the government. Deputies of the True Path Party (DYP) and the Virtue Party (FP), defended that Constitutional Court would reverse the arrangement.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

FIRST CENSURE MOTION FROM FP
The first censure motion against the 57th coalition government, was submitted to the Parliamentary Chairmanship. The censure motion was prepared by Virtue Party (FP) deputy Abdullatif Sener, and his 68 friends. Sener said the recent incidents in the banking sector showed that the coffers of the banks had been emptied and that the burden of these banks on Turkish public was 10 billion U.S. dollars.

Noting that a ten percent increase could have been be made in the salaries of the civil servants and the retired people with 10 billion U.S. dollars, Sener claimed the government extorted the money of the Turkish public.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

NOKIA PROMOTES ITS THIRD GENERATION MOBILE PHONES IN TURKEY
Nokia, one of the leading companies of the mobile communication, promoted its third generation visual mobile phones in Turkey. Dogan Ozturk, the General Manager of Nokia in Turkey, said that they would swiftly pass to the third generation mobile phones system and that they would continue to use their current network investments. Noting that mobile chat, and mobile shopping are some of the facilities of the third generation mobile phones, Ozturk said the businesses would be directed by this new mobile communication system.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ADAPAZARI SHAKEN BY 3.9 QUAKE
An earthquake, measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale, shook Adapazari province on Thursday evening. The quake, which was also felt in Izmit, caused panic.

WE HAVE CONVINCED ARAFAT
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who met with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, whom he met on Wednesday evening in Cairo, convinced him to participate in the peace talks with Israel.

BRITAIN NOT DECEIVED
The Armenians wanted Turks to be condemned together with the nazis in the ''genocide day,'' however, the British cabinet did not accept the issue to be taken into the agenda.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

IMF OBSTACLE IN ECONOMY
Turkey will lose more than she gained with the recent agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Turkey will obtain a loan of four billion U.S. dollars from the IMF, but will face with other obstacles in the economy. The increase in the prices of oil and electricity will be made within the framework of the pledges given to the IMF. Nonetheless, this increase in the prices will increase the costs and will negatively affect the competitive power of Turkey.

-ATIAD DELEGATION DUE IN BRUSSELS
BRUSSELS - A delegation of European Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists Association (ATIAD), based in Germany, will hold contacts in Brussels to overcome negative views against Turkey.

Esref Unsal, the Chairman of ATIAD, said, ''our visit coincides with a period when relations between Turkey and the EU began to sour again.''

He said, ''recently, the EU, instead of adopting an attitute strengthening the partnership, exhibits an attitude damaging relations. The difficulties brought by the Accession Partnership Accord, impositions about Cyprus, votes on the so-called genocide on Armenians, intense efforts to isolate Turkey from the EU, began to effect the relations negatively. We will be in an effort to convey that Europe, rather than Turkey, will have to bear the negative consequences that will be brought by the burden of the economic cost.''

The delegation is planned to meet with the members of the European Parliament, and the EU Commission.

-CYPRUS SUMMIT STARTS IN CANKAYA PALACE
ANKARA - The summit which will focus on Cyprus issue, started in Cankaya Palace on Friday under the leadership of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The summit started at 09:50 local time.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; Devlet Bahceli, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister; Mesut Yilmaz, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Minister, Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister; Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister; Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; and several other high ranking officials attended the summit.

Recent developments regarding Cyprus problem will be discussed during the summit.

[02] CYPRUS SUMMIT AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ENDS (1)

President Denktas said, ''if our parameters are not accepted, it will not be beneficial for us to continue the proximity talks process.''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Mesut Yilmaz, the the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Minister; State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel; Foreign Minister Ismail Cem; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; and other high-level officials were in attendance at the summit.

(To be continued)

-HIGH-LEVEL DIPLOMATS DUE TO EU COUNTRIES TO EXPLAIN
TURKEY'S OPINIONS ON ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP ACCORD
ANKARA - High-level officials from the Foreign Ministry will hold contacts in member countries to the European Union (EU) in order to explain Turkey's opinions on the Accession Partnership Accord which was announced on November 8 by the EU Commission.

Addressing a weekly press conference, Huseyin Dirioz, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said on Friday that Faruk Logoglu, the Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry, and Akin Alptuna, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry, would pay visits to EU countries to explain Turkey's opinions on the Accession Partnership.

Responding to a question, Dirioz said that the Accession Partnership Accord did not suit resolution taken at last year's Helsinki Summit.

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT (1):

Addressing journalists, Prime Minister Ecevit recalled that they had held a very productive meeting at the Cankaya Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and with the participation of President Denktas and other high-level officials.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''President Denktas noted at the meeting that it would be meaningless to continue to hold the proximity talks with the Greek Cypriot side. Denktas said that if presence of two separate states on the island was not recognized, the proximity talks process would not come to a conclusion.''

''In fact, the proximity talks process did not yield any result although it has been continuing for a year. In this case, we support President Denktas's decision to withdraw from the proximity talks. The TRNC has protected and proved its independence and freedom despite the heaviest obstructions. The Republic of Turkey has always supported the TRNC in every field. It will continue to do so. Moreover, security of Turkey and security of the TRNC cannot be separated from each other,'' Ecevit added.

(To be continued)

-CYPRUS SUMMIT AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ENDS (2)
-PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC:
-''THE GREEK CYPRIOTS THINK THAT THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN
THEIR TRICK AIMING AT CLAIMING WHOLE CYPRUS THROUGH EU''
ANKARA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday, ''we think that proximity talks are nothing, but waste of time. If our parameters are not accepted, it will not be beneficial for us to continue the proximity talks process.'' Addressing journalists at the end of the Cyprus Summit at the Cankaya Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President Denktas said, ''the proximity talks are progressing on the wrong direction. Because these negotiations are being carried out in a manner accepting the Greek Cypriot side as the legal government of the whole Cyprus.''

''We are a nation having equal status and equal sovereignty with the Greek Cypriots and right of independence as we were in the past. We were forced to found our own state because we were left without a state. We have maintained the peace negotiations with good will after we had founded our state. In every phase of the proximity talks, the Greek Cypriot side has never given up its policy to claim whole Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots think that they are successful in their trick aiming at claiming whole Cyprus through the European Union.''

President Denktas thanked President Sezer and other participants for supporting the Turkish Cypriot people.

(To be continued)

[04] PRESIDENT SEZER APPROVES LAW ON PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC BANKS

Yalman said, ''it is obvious that the Ziraat Bankasi, Halk Bankasi and Emlak Bankasi of Turkey which are within the framework of the law no 4603, will continue to work as a public institution until the public share in the banks is decreased below 50 percent. To this end, President Sezer said that it is necessary to overcome the deficiencies in the Law no 4603.''

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT (2): ''IF EU HAD NOT ATTEMPTED TO DEAL

Prime Minister Ecevit responded to questions of journalists after the Cyprus summit held at the Presidential Palace.

When recalled, ''President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said earlier that the expressions in the Accession Partnership Accord for Turkey on the issue of Cyprus, spoiled the Greek Cypriots,'' Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''it is true. If the European Union had not attempted to deal with the Cyprus issue and had not tried to put pressure on Turkey and the TRNC, an agreement could have been reached sooner or later. But the Greek Cypriot side has continued its resistance by relying on the EU.''

When told by a journalist, ''the TRNC will be declared as 'uncomprimising side' after its decision to withdraw from the proximity talks with the Greek Cypriot side,'' Ecevit said, ''why shall the TRNC refuse to comprimise? The TRNC is an independent state. Its rights have not been acknowledged. It has been imposed embargoes which are more strict than those imposed on Iraq. It maintains its independence and freedom despite all these negativities. If the TRNC had not maintained its independence and freedom with support of Turkey, it would have experience worst calamities than those experienced in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.''

Responding to another question, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey has been supporting the TRNC in its rightful case. We have made contributions to its development in spite of economic embargoes. We will continue to do so in the future. No one has the right and power to impose sanctions on us.''

When asked whether or not the EU would condemn Turkey for supporting the TRNC's decision to withdraw from the proximity talks with the Greek Cypriot side, Ecevit told reporters, ''these talks did not yield any result. It became certain that the proximity talks would not be productive as long as the EU attempts to deal with the issue.''

(End)

[06] CYPRUS SUMMIT AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ENDS (3)

Denktas said, ''we do not think it is beneficial to continue these talks.''

The conditions to re-start the talks are very simple, Denktas noted.

Denktas continued, ''there are two separate states, two separate nations, two sovereignties and two democracies in Cyprus. There is an approach as if these are not present, and as if there is only the Greek Cypriots and the Greek Cypriot republic and that the Turkish Cypriots is a community inside this republic. There is an approach as if the Turkish Cypriots are naughty and helps the motherland which they call as the occupier.''

Reminding that the European Parliament (EP) took decisions for the lifting of the ''occupation'', Denktas said, ''everybody should change their glasses because they cannot see the realities. They were trapped by the Greek Cypriots. Those who want peace on Cyprus have to acknowledge the existence of the TRNC.''

Denktas continued, ''recognition is another thing. We will walk in the path of recognition with courage because this is our right. But, we do not say 'recognize us', you should acknowledge at this stage. You should accept that the Greek Cypriot administration is not our government and can never be our government.''

The Greek Cypriots show Turkey, who saved them, as an occupier, Denktas said, adding, ''they want the territory in the north back as if the whole Cyprus belonged to them. They seized the territory we left in the south by taking a compulsory expropriation decision.''

It is time to say stop to this course, Denktas noted.

Denktas stated that Alvaro De Soto, the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus, will come to the island on December 4 and that they will show all the realities to De Soto by reports.

Denktas said, ''we will request from De Soto not to put us off, to talk seriously with us, and to start behaving equally to the two sides if they want peace.''

Reiterating that there are two equal states on Cyprus, Denktas said, ''do they have the right to ask us to sit down at a negotiation table by saying 'you do not have a state.' The Turkish Cypriots who have the sovereignty right and self-determination right, founded our state. How long will we continue to sit down at a table and listen to the stories that the Greek Cypriots are the legal government as if our state had not been founded? They are making fun of us and they do not take us seriously.''

(To be continued)

-CYPRUS SUMMIT AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ENDS (4)
-PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC:
-''ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP ACCORD WAS INFLUENCIAL IN OUR
DECISION''
-''NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO COLONIZE US''
ANKARA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday, ''the Accession Partnership Accord for Turkey prepared by the European Union (EU) Commission, was influencial in our decision.'' Addressing journalists at the end of the Cyprus Summit at the Cankaya Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President Denktas said, ''it is meaningless to put forward the Cyprus issue as a pre-condition for Turkey's EU membership. The Cyprus issue is a national case of Turkey.''

''Such an attitude has spoiled the Greek Cypriot side and closed doors of reconciliation one by one. The EU should recognize the facts on the island. It should get rid of Greece's pressure,'' he emphasized.

President Denktas added, ''Greece failed to take Cyprus by using arms and by terrorizing people. Greece could not collapse the TRNC by imposing embargoes. Now, they are trying to take whole Cyprus through the EU. Neither the TRNC nor Turkey will allow them. They do not have the right to colonize use.''

(End)

-UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT KUCHMA:
-''COOPERATION IS COMPULSORY FOR THE INTERESTS OF TWO COUNTRIES''
ISTANBUL - Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said on Friday that cooperation is compulsory for the interests of the two countries.

Kuchma attended the working lunch hosted by the Turkish-Ukrainian Business Council in Istanbul.

Speaking in the lunch, Kuchma said that he hopes the bilateral relations will progress in a positive route from now on.

Kuchma noted that they saw that Turkish Republic administration is aware of the issues concerning Ukraine.

From now on, concrete efforts should be exerted, Kuchma said, adding that they hope the programs which will be put into effect, will give positive results.

Kuchma stated that some difficulties may be faced but all these difficulties will be overcome as time passes.

The latest developments are inspiring hope, Kuchma said.

Kuchma noted that the two countries want to have cooperation and that there are many projects that the countries can jointly implement.

Kuchma said, ''I want to say that there is a very different political situation in Ukraine for the time being. There are many problems we have to solve in our country. Following the presidential election, a new government was formed. With this government which is more constructive, we can face the future.''

Kuchma noted that there is a system which efficiently works in Turkey and that the three partners of the coalition government are getting well with each other, adding that this problem was very big in Ukraine until today.

Addressing the Turkish businessmen, Kuchma stated that they are open to proposals and that the problems can be solved by cooperation.

''Ukraine is waiting for you. We will be pleased to see you in Ukraine,'' Kuchma said.

Emphasizing that democracy is very important for everybody, Kuchma said that not any route than Europe is seen for Turkey and Europe.

-CHHIBBER, WORLD BANK'S REPRESENTATIVE IN TURKEY:
-''APPROVAL OF LAW REGARDED WITH PRIVATIZATION OF
PUBLIC BANKS IS A GOOD DEVELOPMENT''
ANKARA - Ajay Chhibber, the World Bank's Representative in Turkey, said on Friday that approval of law regarded with privatization of public banks was a pleasing development.

Chhibber came to the Bilkent Hotel in Ankara to attend a conference on ''Sustainable Development in the European Union (EU) Membership Process'' organized by the Directorate General of Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Regional Development Authority, the United Nations Development Program's Representation in Turkey and the Procter and Gamble Firm.

Chhibber said that works were under way on the issue of Financial Sector Adjustment Loan (FSAL), adding that the loan could be given to Turkey till the end of this year.

Noting that they considered government's economic program successful, Chhibber said that they thought the economic program was going well.

-WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE AT PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
ANKARA - Tacan Ildem, the Presidential Cabinet Chief and the Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser, said on Friday, ''it was understood at the Cyprus Summit in the Cankaya Presidential Palace that Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were in a full consensus on the Cyprus issue which they considered as a national case. Any link between solution of Cyprus issue and Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process cannot be accepted.''

Addressing a weekly press conference at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, Ildem said, ''an assessment meeting was held under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer within framework of President Denktas' visit to Turkey. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Mesut Yilmaz, the the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Minister; State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel; Foreign Minister Ismail Cem; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; and other high-level officials were in attendance at the meeting which lasted one hour and 45 minutes. At the meeting, it was understood that an assessment of the issue under the light of the fifth round of proximity talks in Geneva, Switzerland, became necessary. Several elements were taken up in detail.''

Ildem said, ''it was understood at the Cyprus Summit in the Cankaya Presidential Palace that Turkey and the TRNC were in a full consensus on the Cyprus issue which they considered as a national case.''

Noting that Turkey had been fully supported the TRNC's attitude, Ildem told reporters, ''necessary ground could not be created in the proximity talks within framework of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's good- will mission. What should be done is to create a framework based on principles of equality and sovereignty and the TRNC's parameters.''

When asked, ''how will these decision affect relations with the EU?'', Ildem said, ''President Denktas noted at the meeting that a framework based on the TRNC's parameters should be created. President Denktas said that if their parameters were not accepted, it would not be beneficial for them to continue the proximity talks process. The proximity talks were considered as a part of the United Nations' search for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.''

Responding to another question, Ildem noted, ''what is important is the fact that a ground based on the TRNC's parameters could not be created in the United Nation's dialogue process aiming at finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue. We should assess whether or not the proximity talks would come to conclusion after this. A mental tie can be set up, but we do not accept this tie. Turkey should fulfil Copenhagen criteria in its EU full membership process. As President Sezer said on numerous occassions, criteria which would be valid for all candidates, were acceptable criteria for us. Special conditions only for Turkey are unacceptable. Any link between solution of Cyprus issue and Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process cannot be accepted.''

Upon a question saying, ''although Turkey gives the message that it does not handle the Cyprus question within framework of its relations with the EU, this issue is brought to the agenda in Greece and other countries. Can tension escalate from now on,'' Ildem said, ''I think the Helsinki Summit conclusions reflect an understanding which still has validity.''

Responding to a question on what kind of a strategy will Turkey pursue from now on, Ildem said, ''Turkey has always supported the efforts of U.N. Secretary General for finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus question. But, these efforts have to consider the parameters put forward and attributed importance by TRNC and supported by Turkey, as basis. A ground which will not consider these parameters as basis, will not be considered as a ground for progress.''

Ildem continued, ''this is the important view which came out of this meeting. The proximity talks were a method. But, it was not the only method. Of course, Turkey and TRNC have assumed an attitude in favour of finding a solution to the problem by dialogue so far. But, what should be done on the island is to work on a basis which cannot turn a blind eye to the realities which still exist on the island. If these realities are ignored and are not considered as serious, it is not possible to take serious that basis.''

When asked whether or not joining the sixth round of Cyprus proximity talks were discussed in the meeting, Ildem said that ther is nothing he can add to the statements released by Denktas regarding this issue.

Ildem refrained from responding to a question on whether or not the situation of the U.N. soldiers on the island was discussed.

When reporters reminded him the statements of Denktas who said that the Greek Cypriots can even resort to weapons in Cyprus, Ildem said, ''the views of Denktas point out certain realities. To this end, there is nothing I can add. What Denktas did was a general observation. He pointed out some dangers not only within framework of the EU but also within framework of Cyprus' dynamics. These are views which have validity.''

Upon a question saying, ''what will be the method that Turkey will implement if the Cyprus question is included in the Accession Partnership Accord? Will Turkey continue to discuss Cyprus question with the EU?'', Ildem said that he cannot say anything at this stage.

When asked a question saying, ''Denktas said that Turkey has come to a junction in the road. Can we say it is true?'', Ildem said, ''the point reached in the end of the fifth round of Cyprus proximity talks could not form a strong basis in the directions of hopes and expectations of TRNC and Turkey for the continuation of the process. The observations regarding this issue are valid for both Turkey and TRNC.''

Ildem continued, ''What Turkish side has underlined so far is that the realities on the island and TRNC's basic principles and parameters which can be a part of a lasting peace on the island should be taken into consideration in this process. I had said that a ground which would pay attention to all these had not been created. I think the junction that Denktas mentioned underlines this uneasiness.''

Responding a question on whether or not Turkey will propose a new model regarding Cyprus question, Ildem said that when Turkey was supporting the proximity talk process and when TRNC was making constructive contributions to this process, it expected that a lasting peace and solution could be reached.

Ildem noted that Turkey and TRNC will support a process which will enable reaching such a solution.

''As Denktas said, it will be hard to continue this support when it is observed that the parameters I have previously mentioned, are not taken into consideration and that these parameters will never be taken into account,'' Ildem said.

When reminded Turkey was considered as the uncompromising side on Cyprus question and asked the path that will be pursued regarding this issue, Ildem said that the question was based on a hypothesis that the talks are definitely cut.

Ildem added, ''we do not have any difference in our point of view with Denktas. I said we support them. This issue should not be connected with participation in the sixth round of Cyprus proximity talks. Denktas made a statement and I gave information about the meeting. I think comments should not be made. I think Denktas' statements are very clear and they do not require making comments. I say that this attitude is supported by Turkish Republic in the highest level.''

-GAP CHAIRPERSON UNVER:
-''GAP IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT''
ANKARA - Olcay Unver, the Chairperson of the Southeastern Anatolia Regional Development Administration, said on Friday that the GAP is a good example of the sustainable development.

Unver delivered a speech in the conference on ''Sustainable Development in the European Union (EU) Membership Process.''

Unver said that sustainable development is a human-centered development.

The GAP project which was a project targeting physical infrastructure, turned into a project aiming at social development as time passed, Unver noted.

Unver stated that the Multi-Purpose Social Center which targets at improving the economic and social positions of women in the region, is the indicator of that the GAP project turned into a project aiming at social development.

A consensus should be reached among countries on sustainable development which concerns the whole world and future of humanity, Unver added.

Witschi-Cestari, the Representative of United Nations to Ankara, said that the sustainable development is Turkey's own preference and responsibility rather than being a requirement for integration with the European Union (EU).

Cestari noted that he believes Turkey will take part in the EU sooner or later.

The sustainable development efforts will facilitate integration with the EU, Cestari added.

Meanwhile, the Procter and Gamble Turkey and GAP Administration signed a cooperation protocol.

The protocol foresees the establishment of a new Multi-Purpose Social Center which will help women acquire new skills to contribute to the country's production.

-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN CHAMBERS
ISTANBUL - The second General Assembly of the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) for the year 2000, was held in Istanbul on Friday.

The Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) hosted the assembly.

Nearly 40 chairmen, representatives and observers of chambers in Athens, Belgrade, Bucharest, Skopje, Sofia and Tirana attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Fuat Miras, the Chairman of ABC's Term President TOBB Executive Board, said, ''European Union's success in its initiatives to become a worldwide political actor depends on success of enlargement initiatives including the region. Complicated membership process prepared by the EU for current candidate countries, has given rise to uncertainty in the candidate countries on the issue of EU's enlargement process. The EU should fulfil its own domestic reforms till the end of 2000 and announce a certain and realistic time-table for candidate countries.

''Liberalization of regional trade, settlement of free market economy in member countries and formation of a secure investment atmosphere can only be achieved with finalization of economic reforms. All these factors will provide formation of a strong private sector,'' he stressed.

Miras underlined importance of reconstruction programs within framework of the Stability Pact in providing coordination of private sector.

Meanwhile, George Cassimatis, the Chairman of Greek Chambers Union, said that Greek Cypriot representative could not attend the meeting because he was not given visa.

Responding to questions of journalists following the meeting, Miras said that the two-year term presidency of the ABC would be handed over to the Greek Cypriot side.

-CHHIBBER, WORLD BANK'S TURKEY DIRECTOR, SAYS TURKEY IS
FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ANKARA - Ajay Chhibber, the World Bank's Turkey Director, said on Friday that Turkey is fairly successful in sustainable development.

Chhibber delivered a speech in the conference on ''Sustainable Development in the European Union (EU) Membership Process.'' The conference ended after Chhibber delivered his speech.

Chhibber said that the World Bank attributes vital importance to sustainable development.

Emphasizing that the basic education reform was put to implementation in the direction of sustainable development initiatives in Turkey, was very important, Chhibber noted that the benefits of this reform will be seen in the coming ten years.

Chhibber stated that the World Bank is pleased to make significant financial contribution to the implementation of this reform.

Reminding that the World Bank supported many other projects regarding the sustainable development in Turkey, Chhibber said that the prevention of erosion and the protection of water basins are some of the projects which have been accomplished.

The scope of projects which have been launched in four provinces regarding this issue was widened, and now these projects are being carried out in 11 provinces, Chhibber noted.

Chhibber stated that they also support some projects like the protection of forests, afforestation, and water purification.

They also attribute vital importance to the preservation of Turkey's cultural heritage, Chhibber said, adding that they support such efforts.

-TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE MAKE A NEW ASSESSMENT WHEN THE PRINCIPLE OF
TWO STATES AND TWO SOVEREIGN EXISTENCES ARE RECOGNIZED. OTHERWISE,THE
CURRENT DIRECTION LEADS TO A VERY NEGATIVE, DANGEROUS AND WRONG POINT''
ISTANBUL/KADIKOY - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday that they will make a further assessment only if the principle of two states and two sovereign existences is recognized in the proximity talks with the Greek Cypriot side.

''Otherwise, the current direction leads to a very negative, dangerous and wrong point,'' he said.

TRNC President Denktas attended a ceremony held by the Great Rotary Club at the Great Club in Istanbul on the occasion of 17th anniversary of the foundation of the TRNC together with TRNC Foreign and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu and TRNC Foreign and Defense Ministry Undersecretary Osman Ertug.

The TRNC President and accompanying delegation were welcomed by retired General Cevik Bir, Great Club Association Chairman Duran Akbulut, Turkish Rotary 2420th Region Governor Hatice Sarizi and many students.

Later, Denktas, Bir, Akbulut and Sarizi set free white pigeons which are the symbols of peace.

Speaking to reporters, Denktas said, ''they deliberately tried to put us into a cage regarding the Cyprus issue. However, motherland Turkey came and granted us wings and we became free. We want peace on the basis of recognition of the Turkish Cypriots' existence and sovereignty.''

Denktas said that the latest game of the Greek Cypriot side in Cyprus was to possess the whole island through the European Union (EU).

''We held the fifth round of talks to prepare the ground for face-to-face talks. We expected them to say that 'I am not your government and state and you are not mine too. Let's reach a compromise on the principle of two states and make Cyprus a bridge of peace between Turkey and Greece.' However, the EU always tells the Greek Cypriots that they can be a member whether there would be a compromise or not because Cyprus is politically and economically ready to be a member. Which Cyprus? They say that they recognized a single Cyprus. We can't accept these,'' TRNC President Denktas stressed.

Noting that the latest developments were taken up at today's Cyprus Summit at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, President Denktas said, ''it was understood that the proximity talks were not beneficial. We will make a new assessment when two-state basis and presence of two sovereign states are accepted. Otherwise, current direction of the proximity talks process will lead us to extremely wrongful, negative and dangerous points.''

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side had been trying to enter the defense field of Europe and to give a base to the EU on the island, President Denktas said, ''Cyprus is making Turkey and the EU confront each other by bringing the EU forces. It is bringing a serious calamity.''

''Latest initiatives are nothing but preparations to create an appropriate ground for giving Cyprus to the Greek Cypriots. Eventually, they made us unable to do anything by telling us, 'we have put forward a frame. You will make statements within this frame.' They deceived us,'' Denktas emphasized.

When asked, ''is the EU real danger?'', President Denktas said, ''the EU is looking at the Cyprus issue from the eyes of Greece. They are trying to snatch Cyprus in the twinkling of an eye like Crete. Thanks God, today's Turkey is not the Turkey or the Ottomans during the period of Crete incident. There is a Turkey which can make its voice heard.''

When asked, ''what kind of military measures will Turkey and the TRNC take on the island due to the Greek Cypriot side's initiatives in the EU?'' Denktas recalled the ''Toros-2000'' maneuvres carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces in the TRNC, and said, ''they should acknowledge that Turkey would not leave Cyprus, that Turkey has geopolitical rights on the island stemming from international agreements, and that Turkey was the guarantor of the Turkish Cypriots. Their eyes were veiled by Greece. I hope that they would get rid of it.''

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