Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-25

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

26 AUGUST 2001 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS TURKEY'S OWN DYNAMICS SHOULD NOT BE OBSTACLE FOR TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP

[03] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS PARTIES HAVE TO REACH AGREEMENT ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT UNTIL MID-SEPTEMBER

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS GOVERNMENT IS RESOLVED TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENTS

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DENIES STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KIVRIKOGLU BY PRESS

[06] UZEYIR GARIH KILLED

[07] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV RECEIVES GEN. KIVRIKOGLU

[08] GARIH'S DEAD BODY TAKEN TO FORENSIC MEDICINE MORGUE

[09] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV PRESENTS ''AZERBAIJANI FLAG'' MEDAL TO GEN. KIVRIKOGLU

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS GARIH WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN WHO SERVED COUNTRY

[11] GARIH'S SON AND BRIDE IDENTIFY GARIH'S DEAD BODY

[12] UZEYIR GARIH STABBED EIGHT TIMES AND KILLED

[13] PRESIDENT SEZER EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES OVER GARIH'S KILLING

[14] BULGARIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VASSILEV SAYS HE MET WITH GARIH EARLIER IN THE DAY

[15] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN SAYS THEY SUSPECT ONE PERSON AS KILLER OF GARIH

[16] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU MEETS WITH AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTER ABIYEV

[17] BUSINESS WORLD CONDEMN GARIH'S KILLING

[18] BULGARIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VASSILEV HOLDS A PRESS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

[19] ONE SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH GARIH'S KILLING

[20] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU ATTENDS GRADUATION CEREMONY OF AZERBAIJANI WAR ACADEMY (1)

[21] MINISTERS AND POLITICIANS CONDEMN GARIH'S KILLING

[22] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU ATTENDS GRADUATION CEREMONY OF AZERBAIJANI WAR ACADEMY (2

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TAYYIP IS NOT INVITED
General Staff didn't invite Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development (AK Party) to the reception that would be held on August 30, upon Victory Day. AK Party deputies and Recai Kutan, the leader of the Felicity Party (SP) were invited to the reception. Meanwhile Constitutional Court Chairman Mustafa Bumin started the necessary proceedings about the application of Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Kanadoglu to issue a warning about AK Party leader Erdogan.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DEBT TO ETIBANK TO BE PAID
Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF) accepted the debt payment plan of Bilgin Group to Etibank which was earlier transferred to SDIF. The debt of Bilgin group to the bank is 565 trillion Turkish liras. The group will pay 10 million dollars immediately and 20 million dollars in six months. All payments will be finished within five years.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

BAHCELI SAYS FIGHT WITH CORRUPTION TO CONTINUE
Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said upon questions of journalists who asked him if he regarded the anti- corruption investigations at the Housing and Public Works Ministry as a political retaliation, that there was no need for such comments. ''Fight with corruption will continue. The government was founded to this end,'' he said.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

KARAOSMANOGLU SAYS DEBTS CAN BE RESTRUCTURED
Former Assistant Governor of the World Bank Attila Karaosmanoglu said that if Turkey is finding hard to pay its debts it might be possible to take Argentina as an example and bring the matter of reconstructuring IMF-backed loans to the agenda. Karaosmanoglu explained the economic problems of Turkey at The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

SHAME ON GREECE
Greece announced that it wouldn't join Izmir Trade Fair showing the participation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in it as an excuse. Hepsenkal, the Director General of IZFAS, which organizes the fair, said that the decision of Greece is political, adding that Greece, which joined the fair last year, earlier knew that TRNC would join the fair, too.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS TURKEY'S OWN DYNAMICS SHOULD NOT BE OBSTACLE FOR TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP

Responding to questions in the private tv channel CNN Turk, Yılmaz said that ''Turkey has to take certain steps in its relations with EU. We must amend certain provisions of the Constitution and various laws. We must first of all broaden the scope of individual rights and freedoms. 1982 Constitution constitutes a very serious impediment in our relations with the EU. Yet various persons and institutions have reservations in the issue of amending the Constitution. When you consider these concerns, you see that there is the concept of national security in all of them. Reservations are put forward in respect of national security, when we want to broaden the scope of the right to freedom of thought and expression and other rights. Thus the concept of national security constitutes an impediment in front of the steps Turkey has to take. Turkey went through very extraordinary periods in the past and could not take the steps that needed to be taken at those times. Separatist terrorism collapsed and great progress was recorded in the fight with fundamentalism threat...Now there should be no obstacle for Turkey to take these steps and Turkey must take these steps urgently.''

When asked whether or not the national programme prepared by Turkey satisfied EU or not, Yılmaz said that ''at least we didn't face a negative reaction.''

''We put off certain steps which EU wanted Turkey to take in short term to medium term in national programme. I can say that the national programme of Turkey was generally found positive. Maybe they didn't expect Turkey to take so many steps. In October, EU countries will have an official summit in Belgium where the progress recorded by candidate countries including Turkey will be assessed. Probably in November progression report will be published. This report is very important for us, as it will be the first report to be published after the national programme was published. I am afraid that the progression report will note that despite the progress recorded by Turkey, the progress remains insufficient. Insufficiency means negative. This is the thing that we must be afraid of. In such a case, we can't put forward reasonable arguments against it. If we can't take these steps, it means that the structure and decision taking mechanisms in Turkey are not appropriate to take these steps. It means that Turkey does not have the necessary political will to be a country having EU standarts.''

''A positive report on EU will positively effect both the domestic market in Turkey and the international markets. But it is not sufficient to make Turkey overcome this economic crisis,'' he said upon another question.

When asked about the National Security Council (NSC) statement which said that the draft prepared by interparty compromise commission would be further developed, Yılmaz said that ''the constitutional amendments adopted by the compromise commission are not backed totally by all the political parties in the parliament. All political parties make a new evaluation on this document... Yet the document to be adopted finally should not be contrary to the sine-quo-non criteria of EU.''

Yılmaz stressed that the most important problem in Turkey today is not to perceive correctly the realities of the new age. ''Certainly Turkey is not destined to EU, but the best future for Turkey is membership to EU. We can discuss these issues, but we will miss the EU train then,'' he said.

Upon a question about Kurdish broadcast, Yılmaz said that ''I respect those persons who openly say that they are against EU. I am in fact afraid of persons who say they support EU membership, and then add 'but...'' These persons then start to put forward the special conditions of Turkey as excuse. We said after Luxembourg summit that Turkey would be a full member and it would not accept special status...We should not start these discussions again. We must confess that we could not set up correctly the balance between security and freedoms in a rational way. We still think that if we restrict freedoms, we will have more security. This is not true. I believe that Turkey will never be divided. Even armed seperatist organizations could not divide Turkey. It is not possible for anybody to divide Turkey. But I think if Turkey stops to be a modern country, it will have instability... Those persons who are against EU want the status-quo to continue.''

Noting that Turkey is more advantageous when compared to other candidate countries, Yılmaz said that ''we will be the country which has the greatest lobby in Europe due to the Turks living in Europe when we join the EU. Turkey will be the bridge of EU to Caucasian Republics, Central Asian, Middle Eastern countries. It is not possible for such a country having too much qualifications to think in such a restricted way. Turkey has to give up pursuing the pattern that was determined for third countries during the cold war area.''

[03] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS PARTIES HAVE TO REACH AGREEMENT ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT UNTIL MID-SEPTEMBER

''If this is the case, Turkey's relations with EU will be left over at least for one year. If we can't take the necessary steps within one year, our realations with EU will come to the brink of breaking off. This is the thing that Turkey must be afraid of at most,'' Yılmaz told the private tv channel CNN Turk.

Upon a question, Yılmaz said that EU does not have a demand about Kurdish broadcast. ''EU wants learning of language to be liberal. EU has never put forward conditions to Turkey demanding it to use Kurdish in official correspondence or make it an education language. EU wants restoration of the language freedom that was present in Turkey until Sept. 21, 1980. EU wants Turkey to allow private schools to teach the persons who want to learn his/her language. EU wants abolishment of the prohibitions on persons to use his/her language as the mother tongue, as an individual right. There is no legal prohibition on that for the moment,'' he said.

Upon a question about death penalty, Yılmaz said that ''the constitutional amendment package lifts death sentence except terrorism crimes and crimes covered by military penal code. In fact a penal code amendment is in question, and it lifts death sentence and changes it to life sentence. Thus if this amedment in the penal code is undertaken, there will be no need for constitutional amendment.''

Answering a question about constitutional amendment, Yılmaz said that ''the compromise commission reached agreement upon 37 articles of the Constitution. We only need 11 articles among these 37, within the scope of the membership to EU and national programme. If no agreement is reached on 37 articles, a separate package related to these 11 articles can also be prepared.''

''Unfortunately the political parties could not make this constitutional amendment issue clear to date. If we can start the proceedings tomorrow, we can only finish them at mid-October, which is still late,'' Yılmaz said.

Yılmaz added that there will probably be a leaders summit next week to discuss constitutional amendment package. ''These constitutional amendments are not particularly beneficial for a certain political party, they are beneficial for the whole country,'' Yılmaz said.

[04] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS GOVERNMENT IS RESOLVED TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENTS

Ecevit told in a news conference that the government prepares to lift the bureaucratic impediments in front of foreign capital, adding that the government expects investment, not donations or loans from citizens living abroad.

Ecevit said that the campaign started by business circles to increase the respectability of TL is very pleasing.

Ecevit said he believed that the people will also support this campaign, adding that ''the currency of a state is its honour. A powerful economy can't be set up with weak currency. In fact there is no need to take compelling measures to improve the respectability of TL. Giving priority to TL in shoppings and financial transactions is a very effective measure. But we must accept one reality: our currency's losing value is not the reason, but the result of the problems in economy. Thus we must both improve the respectability of TL, and at the same time we must speed up efforts to strengthen real economy. The government has started to apply effective monetary policies to this end.''

Stressing that economic problems can't only be solved by monetary policies, Ecevit said that ''we must also increase investments and revive the closed business places. We must activate our internal and external sources to this end. Meanwhime we adopted a law to benefit from the immovable properties of the Treasury. We are resolved to benefit from our natural resources in a more productive way. We try to lift the impediments that stand in front of foreign capital investments. Our citizens have money in certain EU countries. Our citizens have enterpreneurship experience abroad, we call them to invest in Turkey.''

Ecevit said that he sent letters to all governors' offices yesterday and asked for information about the industrial installations which were closed or which limited their production.

''We will give this information to those persons who want to make investment in Turkey. They can benefit from this information to take over the closed factories or to set up partnerships with them. The campaign started to support TL and to revive the economy will both strentghen our efforts and also improve the respectability of our state and nation in the world,'' he added.

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DENIES STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KIVRIKOGLU BY PRESS

''I have been in all National Security Council (NSC) meetings. I didn't hear even a word from Mr. Chief of General Staff that could hint that,'' told Prime Minister Ecevit to reporters in his news conference.

When a journalist reminded Ecevit about the claim of a newspaper which noted that the Chief of General Staff told NSC meeting that soldiers change, but politicians are always the same persons, Ecevit said that ''I didn't hear such a statement...No such speech was made in any of NSC meetings. I am really surprised with this news.''

When asked if the government plans to benefit from ''money under the mattress,'' Ecevit said that the government also takes measures on this issue.

''Monetary policies aim at reaching this goal, we will do our best to orient this money either kept as foreign exchange or gold to investment. We also prepared a bill to lift the bureaucratic impediments that stand particularly in front of foreign investment,'' he said.

Upon a question asking if the anti-corruption operation started in the Public Works and Housing Ministry would cause a problem in the coalition government as it was criticized by coalition partners, Ecevit said ''no, no such thing is in question.''

Ecevit also noted that there is no problem between him and National Education Minister Metin Bostancıoglu. ''We discussed certain issues with him. Our deputies visited many provinces in summer and got information from citizens about their views related to all ministries. This information was gathered at DSP headquarters. We evaluate this information with our ministers,'' Ecevit said.

[06] UZEYIR GARIH KILLED

Garih was born in Istanbul in 1929. He graduated from Istanbul Technical University Mechanical Engineering Department. He started to

work as co-partner of Alarko Collective Firm in 1954 upon the proposal of Ishak Alaton. Garih was charged in executive and consultation boards of many Turkish and foreign foundations and associations. Garih was married and had two children.

[07] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV RECEIVES GEN. KIVRIKOGLU

Aliyev said that such kind of high ranking visits would contribute to further improvement of bilateral relations.

''We attribute very much importance to relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan,'' Aliyev said.

Noting that the Turkish army contributed a lot to the foundation of the Azerbaijani army, Aliyev said that ''we will exchange views about the future of our cooperation during Kıvrıkoglu's visit to our country. Our relations should further improve.''

Referring to the show performed by Turkish Stars, the aerobatics team of the Turkish Air Forces yesterday, Aliyev said that ''no such show was seen in Azerbaijan before. The Turkish Air Forces is one of the leading air forces of the world.''

Aliyev said that nearly one million Azeris in Baku watched the show, adding that the people considered the show as a bairam and felt themselves very strong.

Gen. Kıvrıkoglu, in his part firstly conveyed the best wishes of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Bulent Ecevit, and noted that he saw Baku more advanced when he came to the city this time, which is for the third time.

Kıvrıkoglu said that Turkey accepts Turkey and Azerbaijan as ''one nation, and two states.''

Kıvrıkoglu said that the relations between the two countries should further improve in all fields.

''Azerbaijani Armed Forces will be very strong in a short time. Our cooperation with Azerbaijani Armed Forces will continue,'' he said and noted that national army and economy have to be strong for regional stability. Turkey wants installation of peace and stability in the region, Kıvrıkoglu stressed.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Sefer Abiyev, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kadri Ecvet Tezcan and other officials also attended the meeting.

[08] GARIH'S DEAD BODY TAKEN TO FORENSIC MEDICINE MORGUE

Acting on a tip-off, police teams went to the graveyard and found the dead body of Garih, the Executive Board President of Alarko Holding. Istanbul police took tight security measures, surrounded the graveyard and launched a search. Istanbul Acting Security Director Hasan Ozdemir immediately came to the graveyard.

Police found eight strokes on his body and it was understood that Garih moved a little bit after being stabbed. Garih's dead body was found near the grave of Marshal Fevzi Cakmak, the first chief of general staff of Turkey. Garih is reported to visit Cakmak's grave before. People who have shops around the graveyard said that Garih visited the grave of Marshal Cakmak regularly.

A tradesman said that Garih visited Cakmak's graveyard once in every 15 days.

Garih's car was also found in the graveyard's parking lot.

After being observed by Eyup Prosecutor, Garih's dead body was taken to the morgue of Forensic Medicine.

[09] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV PRESENTS ''AZERBAIJANI FLAG'' MEDAL TO GEN. KIVRIKOGLU

The medal, which is the highest military medal of Azerbaijan, has been presented for the first time in a ceremony held at Presidential Palace.

Aliyev said that the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan covered a broader scope, adding that the relations between the two countries' armed forces have turned into a strategic cooperation.

Noting that Azerbaijan and Turkey protect each others interests at the international platforms, Aliyev said that relations with Turkey have special importance in the solution of Upper Karabakh problem.

Stressing that Turkey always supports Azerbaijan and recognizes Armenia as the agressive side at all the international platforms, Aliyev said that Turkey contributed a lot to the foundation of the Azerbaijani national army.

''We need expertise, personnel, education and training for regular army,'' said Aliyev and noted that Azerbaijan benefitted from the Turkish Armed Forces in this field.

Aliyev said that the Turkish army has the power to resist the biggest forces of the world, adding that ''the Turkish army of today had also served a lot in foundation of the Turkish republic.''

Stressing that Turkish Armed Forces has a great importance for Azerbaijan, Aliyev said that ''Azerbaijani people are proud of the existance of Turkey.''

Gen. Kıvrıkoglu said in his part that the medal of Azerbaijani flag will be his most honourable medal.

''I would like to accept this medal on behalf of many heroes and 1,130 persons who died in the fight for independence of Azerbaijan in 1918,'' he said.

''We are resolved to continue our military cooperation with Azerbaijan,'' Kıvrıkoglu said, adding that the medal he was presented is the symbol of the cooperation that will continue between the two states forever.

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Defense Minister Sefer Abiyev, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kadri Ecvet Tezcan and other high ranking officials also participated in the ceremony.

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS GARIH WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN WHO SERVED COUNTRY

Issuing a message of condolence upon the killing of Garih, Prime Minister Ecevit said that ''I am very sorry about the killing of Uzeyir Garih, the Executive Board President of Alarko Holding. His contributions to the country will always be remembered with gratitude.''

Ecevit got information from officials about the killing and he also expressed his condolences to Garih's family and his partner Ishak Alaton.

[11] GARIH'S SON AND BRIDE IDENTIFY GARIH'S DEAD BODY

Izzet Garih, his son and Loksi Garih, his bride who came to the morgue around 17.30 local time, stayed in the morgue for nearly half an hour.

Security forces said that they firstly talked to the relatives of the businessman who was stabbed to death in Eyup Graveyard this afternoon. Garih was of Jewish origin.

[12] UZEYIR GARIH STABBED EIGHT TIMES AND KILLED

Police discovered no finding on the body of Garih and in the scene that proves that Garih was killed in another place and his body was taken to the graveyard.

Eyup Chief Prosecutor determined that Garih was stabbed one time on his ear, one time under his stomach and six times on his left and right parts of his body.

Officials at the Prosecutor's Office said that according to the findings, it is believed that Garih was killed in the graveyard.

The body was found by graveyard officials.

Garih left his house around 12.30 local time and participated in a meeting at Alarko Holding the same day.

His credit cards, his cash and the key of his car were found on him.

[13] PRESIDENT SEZER EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES OVER GARIH'S KILLING

Presidential Press Centre said that President Sezer sent a telegram to Lili Garih, Uzeyir Garih's wife and said ''I feel deep sorrow over the killing of Uzeyir Garih, a leading name of business world and executive board president of Alarko Holding. I share your pain and express condolences to you and your family.''

President Sezer also sent a telegram to Alarko Holding Executive Board's Co- President Ishak Alaton and expressed condolences.

[14] BULGARIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VASSILEV SAYS HE MET WITH GARIH EARLIER IN THE DAY

Vassilev who came to Istanbul yesterday and met with business circles, held a press conference at the Bulgarian Consul General in Istanbul.

Speaking at the press conference, Vassilev said that he met with Garih just one hour before his assassination.

Vassilev added, ''I met with him between 11:00 a.m.-00:00 p.m. We are extremely sorry about assassination of him. We want to pay our last tribute to him by observing a minute of silence as an expression of our feelings. I met with him earlier in the day. I could not think that he would be killed an hour later.''

[15] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN SAYS THEY SUSPECT ONE PERSON AS KILLER OF GARIH

''We are particularly suspicious of one person, this person is wanted,'' told Yeculen to reporters.

Yucelen said that Garih came to Eyup alone around 12.50 local time after receiving the Bulgarian delegation and using the car himself.

Yucelen said that Garih left his car in the parking lot and went to Eyup graveyard which was 250 meters away from the parking lot, adding that Garih visited the grave of one person there from time to time.

''He came and visited the grave frequently. Our friends found out that Garih was stabbed eight times in seperate parts of his body. According to the findings of police, it is believed that there is no organization behind the killing,'' Yucelen said.

''According to the investigations and observations carried out by Istanbul Acting Security Director Hasan Ozdemir and his assistants, we are particularly suspicious about one person. This person is wanted. We will definitely find that person. It will be wrong to make an assessment about the killing before finding that person. Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) Chief Prosecutor also investigates the issue in a broad manner. We trust the policemen and believe that our friends will find the suspect as soon as possible. We will make a broad statement after finding the suspect. Our studies continue,'' he said.

''The murder seems to be committed in the graveyard,'' Yucelen said.

Upon a question about the suspect, Yucelen said that he can't give information about his identity for the moment.

When asked whom Garih visited in the graveyard, Yucelen said that he visited the grave of a person who helped himself when he was young, without giving information about that person.

[16] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU MEETS WITH AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTER ABIYEV

Speaking at the meeting, General Abiyev said that Armenia had been continuing its armament, and added that such an attitude created the risk of a new armed clash between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Noting that nearly 1 million Azerbaijanis had to leave their homes due to the dispute between the two countries, Abiyev stressed, ''another important problem is that these people are trying to survive under extremely difficult conditions.''

Abiyev said that Azerbaijan was not in favor of putting pressure on one of its neighbors or on another country, adding that they wanted to solve their problems in a peaceful way.

Referring to the military cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan, General Abiyev underlined importance of Turkey's support to Azerbaijan's joining NATO.

Meanwhile, General Kivrikoglu underlined the importance of further developing cooperation between the two countries in every field.

Noting that Turkey would always support Azerbaijan, General Kivrikoglu said that Turkey attributed great importance to Azerbaijan's independence.

Kivrikoglu recalled that Azerbaijani National Army had been continuing to develop itself in accordance with standards of NATO.

[17] BUSINESS WORLD CONDEMN GARIH'S KILLING

Ankara Industry Chamber Chairman Zafer Caglayan told A.A correspondent that they were very disappointed about the killing of Uzeyir Garih.

Ankara Trade Chamber (ATO) Chairman Aygun said that Uzeyir was a businessman who made many investments in Turkey.

Aegean Exporters Union Chairmanship Council Head Mete Uguz said that the killing was the result of social explosion in the country.

Izmir Trade Chamber (IZTO) Chairman Ekrem Demirtas said in his part that the killing of Uzeyir Garih caused great sorrow in the business world.

''Although he was a member of the Jewish community, he loved Turkey more than citizens of Turkish origin,'' Demirtas said.

Izmir Trade Stock Exchange Market Chairman Hasan Ozmen said that Garih was not a political figure, adding that Garih was a very successful businessman.

Aegean Region Industry Chamber (EBSO) Assembly Spokesman Kemal Colakoglu said that the killing of Garih is an important loss for the Turkish business world.

Aldo Kaslowski, the Deputy Chairman of the Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD) said in his part that they are very sorry about Garih's killing.

The Chairman of Association of Independent Industrialists Association (MUSIAD) Bayramoglu said that the killers have to be found immediately.

Enka Holding's Executive Board President Sarık Tara said that Garih was a very good person.

Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu, the Chairman of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) condemned with hatred the killing of Garih.

Husamettin Kavi, the Chairman of Istanbul Industry Chamber (ISO) said that Garih's killing has disappointed the business world.

Okan Oguz, the former chairman of Turkey Exporters Assembly said that he was very sorry about the killing of Uzeyir Garih.

Oguz said that Uzeyir was one of the leading names of the Turkish world, adding he was also interested in social problems of the country.

Chairman of Marmara Group Suver said in his part that he was very sorry about the killing of Garih.

[18] BULGARIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VASSILEV HOLDS A PRESS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

Vassilev who came to Istanbul yesterday and met with business circles, held a press conference at the Bulgarian Consulate General in Istanbul.

Speaking at the press conference, Vassilev said that it was his first visit to Turkey after he was appointed as Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister, adding that his visit aimed at explaining that Bulgaria was a country having appropriate conditions for investments.

Noting that he would visit International Izmir Fair, Vassilev recalled that he had held a series of meetings with Turkish industrialists and businessmen.

''Our goal is to promote Bulgaria's new economic program. We want to explain that Bulgaria was a country having appropriate conditions for investments. We will provide several facilities on the issues of tax and customs. We will decrease the highest tax rate from 38 percent to 29 percent. We will make important reforms in the field of customs. We aim at economic development. We will reach this target by encouraging investments. Turkey is the best economic partner of Bulgaria. We attribute great importance to Turkish businessmen's investments in Bulgaria,'' he said.

When asked whether or not some aggrements would be signed during his contacts in Istanbul, Vassilev said, ''signing of an agreement in such a short period of time cannot be serious. Prior to my visit to Istanbul I wanted to hold meetings with ENKA Holding, Is Bankasi and Erdemir Firm. I held talks with their directors. Every Turkish companies acting in the field of communication, can join tenders in Bulgaria.''

Responding to a question about visa difficulties, Vassilev said, ''I do not have enough information about the issue. We are about to become a member of Schengen. Then, we will have some commitments to other countries. But we do not want visitors coming from Turkey to face with difficulties.''

Responding to a question about economic crisis in Turkey, Vassilev said, ''Turkey has been experiencing a financial crisis. Value of Turkish lira decreased. However, I think that export has been eased despite all these developments. Bulgaria has been exporting raw materials and electricity to Turkey. Bulgaria's export to Turkey has not been affected by the crisis. In the field of tourism, neary 100 thousand Bulgarian tourists visited Turkey this summer.''

Vassilev is scheduled to come together with State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), in the dinner on Monday night.

[19] ONE SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH GARIH'S KILLING

Istanbul police took into custody the person and took him to Istanbul Security Directorate's Organized Crimes Department to question him.

[20] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU ATTENDS GRADUATION CEREMONY OF AZERBAIJANI WAR ACADEMY (1)

President Aliyev and General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff who is currently in Azerbaijani capital Baku on an official visit, attended the first graduation ceremony of Azerbaijani War Academy.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Aliyev said that the Azerbaijani Army would further strengthen with young officers who graduated from the War Academy.

Stressing that a sovereign country has to create its own organs, President Aliyev said that the most difficult of them was the foundation of national army, adding that Azerbaijan had taken a very important step to this end.

Emphasizing that presence of a national army was of vital importance for Azerbaijan, President Aliyev said, ''Azerbaijan faced with Armenian armed forces' violations in the first years of its independence. We did not have an army in those years to fight against those violations.''

Noting that young officers should be ready for any kind of difficulty, President Aliyev said, ''Armenia has occupied a part of Azerbaijani territories. Nearly one million Azerbaijanis fled from the occupied territories. They have been trying to survive under extremely difficult conditions. All neccessary conditions should be created for them to return to their homes. We want to solve the dispute in peaceful ways.''

[21] MINISTERS AND POLITICIANS CONDEMN GARIH'S KILLING

Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar said that the killing of Garih is really a great loss for the country.

Issuing a message, Tasar condemned the killing.

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that he is very sorry about the killing of businessman Uzeyir Garih, adding that police has to examine carefully if there are terrorist organizations behind the killing.

Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi said that he had no doubt that the assailant would be captured and brought to justice.

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that Uzeyir Garih was an important busunessman who loved his country.

Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrıkulu said he condemned the loathsome murder and added that the assailants would be captured soon.

Public Works and Housing Minister Koray Aydın issued a message of condolences and noted that Garih was a man of dialogue, compromise and tolerance.

Culture Minister Istemihan Talay said that the killing of Talay is a great loss for Turkey, adding that he was a model for the business world.

Transportation Minister Oktay Vural expressed condolences to the family of Garih upon his killing.

Abdullah Gul, the deputy leader of AK Party said that Garih was one of the distinguished persons of the business world.

[22] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU ATTENDS GRADUATION CEREMONY OF AZERBAIJANI WAR ACADEMY (2

BAKU - General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, said on Saturday, ''both Turkey and Azerbaijan take part in the most sensitive regions of the world. Besides a developing econonomy, both countries should have a powerful and modernized armed forces in order to settle confidence and stability in their regions.''

General Kivrikoglu who is currently in Azerbaijani capital Baku on an official visit, attended the first graduation ceremony of Azerbaijani War Academy together with President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Kivrikoglu said that armed forces should be ready to undertake any kind of duty.

Expressing his pleasure with attending the ceremony, General Kivrikoglu said, ''Azerbaijani students have received a modern education for four years. They are ready to undertake any kind of duty.''

Addressing the young officers who graduated from the Azerbaijani War Academy, General Kivrikoglu said, ''you should not be involved in any kind of political activity. Being a soldier is a great privilege and responsibility.''

Meanwhile, Turkish Stars, the aerobatics team of the Turkish Air Forces, performed a show during the ceremony.

General Kivrikoglu is expected to return to Turkey on Sunday.

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