Selections From Todays Turkish Press

81ST anniversary of the establishment of the Presidential Guard Troop was celebrated yesterday. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and the Chief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu have attended the ceremony with their wives. The ceremony has started with a minute of silence followed by the singing of the National Anthem. During the ceremony, the soldiers' hand-to-hand combat demonstrations and the bayonet attack group's show have raised great attention. The ceremony ended with the parade accompanied by the Guard Troop's march. Following the celebration, a cocktail was given at the Guard Troop's garden. (Sabah)

Constitutional Court Slightly Broadens Reprieve Law

The Constitutional Court ruled out on Wednesday that excluding articles 188, 191, 240, 298 and 383 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) from the Conditional Release Law is in violation of the Turkish Constitution. The articles mainly cover crimes of civil servants' abuse of office, threatening people, escaping from prison and providing aid and shelter for those who escape from prison. The supreme court also cancelled a previous law's article that stated that those who were released as part of previous amnesty laws cannot be reprieved with the recent amnesty. (Turkish Daily News)

Turkish Frigates In The TRNC

Two frigates and a submarine attached to the Turkish Naval Forces have reached the Girne Harbor within the framework of the celebrations of July 20th, Peace and Freedom Festival in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The vessels under the command of the Southern Duty Group Commander, Vice Admiral Lutfi Sancar , were welcomed by the TRNC's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Undersecretary of the Presidential Office, Ergun Olgun, the TRNC's Security Forces Commander, Brigadier General Ali Galip Mendi and other officials. Ertugruloglu said, "We thank you for you have honored us with your presence. July 20th is the rebirth of the Turkish Cypriots." Meanwhile, Sancar said, "We, as the Naval Forces, are doing our best to preserve the peace on the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean." Sancar and the other vessel personnel have laid a wreath at Ataturk's Monument in Girne and observed a minute of silence. The vessel commanders were also received by the TRNC's President, Rauf Denktas. Sancar has presented the Command's shield. (Turkiye)

Syria Proposes A Meeting Of The Trilateral Water Committee

Syria has proposed reviving of the trilateral committee consisting up of Turkey, Syria and Iraq for the solution of water disputes among the three countries. The last meeting was held in 1993. Syrian Ambassador to Turkey, Said al Bunni, told the Turkish Daily News on Wednesday that despite having 16 meetings of the above mentioned committee before 1993, no serious results had been achieved. "But now, political will exists," said the Ambassador, stating that they proposed the trilateral committee meeting to discuss the water issue. (Turkish Daily News)

Minister For Agriculture Gokalp Arrives In Baku

Agriculture Minister Husnu Ziya Gokalp arrived in Baku for an official visit. Gokalp was welcomed by the Azerbaijan Agriculture Minister Irsad Aliyev, the Turkish Ambassador in Baku, Kadri Ecvet Tezcan, and other officials. Gokalp is being accompanied by senor ministry officials, and representatives from the private and state sector. Gokalp will visit the joint agriculture companies in Azerbaijan. Gokalp will be received by Azerbaijani President, Haydar Aliyev, as well. (Turkish Daily News)

Gokalp Lays Foundation

The Minister of Agriculture, Ministry and Rural Affairs, Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, has laid the foundation of the Cultural and Sports Center and the supplementary building of classrooms, which will be built by Gulen Boya Polisan Company so Haci Mehmet Emin Bitlis Primary School will be in compliance with the primary education of eight years. During the initial foundation laying ceremony, Gokalp said, "We should attach a great deal of importance to education so we can have an advanced science and technology. I appreciate the voluntary institutions' contribution to the economy." (Turkiye)

Energy Minister In Lebanon

Speaking at the eight Ministerial Meeting of the Six Countries Interconnection Project, Energy Minister Zeki Cakan said that Turkey has always supported the project. "As a sign of the importance we give to the project, the Turkish-Syrian part of the project was completed earlier than planned and was operational in 1998. This part has been waiting for interconnection work. However, problems in the region prevented us from reaching our targets for 2002," Cakan said. In reference to the changes in the field of globalization, Cakan said that all those changes affected Turkey a lot. (Turkish Daily News)

Ahmet Dogan Candidate For Nobel Peace Prize

Members of the Rights and Liberties Operation (HOH), an organization based in Bulgaria with mainly Turkish members, have nominated their leader, Ahmet Dogan, as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. The members pointed out that they deem his nomination fitting because of his efforts in human rights over the last 10 years. One of the members, Altay Fevziev, in his explanation said that Dogan was a person who deserved to be known throughout the world. (Turkish Daily News)

Lausanne Conference To Be Commemorated

Association of Services for the Turkish Youth is preparing a series of activities due to the 78th anniversary of the Lausanne Conference. In a statement issued by the Association, it was stated that a conference would be given with the participation of the writer Izzet Sedes and the retired Protocol Director of the European Council, Prof. Sabahattin Ozel within the framework of the activities to be held on July 23. In addition, Prof. Gungor Satiroglu will organize a slide demonstration. (Cumhuriyet)

134 Non Governmental Organizations To Work For The Future Of The Straits

A total of 134 environmentalist organizations, which were gathered together under the roof of the "Civilian Initiative Working Group", have decided to cooperate to decrease the nuclear waste at the Turkish Straits and the passages of the tankers, which carry hazardous materials. Deputy Secretary of Istanbul's Environment Council, Mustafa Durna, spoke during the press conference held at Istanbul's Special Provincial Special Administration and said, "Black Sea National Environment NGO Forum, consisting of 48 environmental organizations, and Istanbul's Environment Council, including 86 environmentalist NGOs have established the Civilian Initiative Working Group to find solutions for the future of the Straits. (Cumhuriyet)

Us Plane Crashed In Batman

The American F-16 plane, which took off from Incirlik Air Base for a reconnaissance flight to be made in the Northern Iraq, has crashed in Batman's district of Besiri. The pilot has been injured slightly and was brought to a Batman in an ambulance. It was stated that the health condition of the pilot was fine. (Cumhuriyet)

Economic Programme To Continue To Be Implemented

The meeting at the Prime Ministry that lasted for three and a half hours, was attended by the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli, Mesut Yilmaz, State Minister responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis, Governor of the Central Bank, Sureyya Serdengecti, Treasury Undersecretary, Faik Oztrak, Chairman of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK), Engin Akcakoca. After the meeting, it was stated that the decree concerning the privatization of Vakiflar Bank was opened to signature. In the statement, it was added, "The basic balances in the economy have been strengthened day by day. Besides, the developments about the price have been parallel with our estimations, which shows that the expectations about the second half of the year will be realized to a great extend. It was decided that the economic programme will be continued to be implemented simultaneously in every level. The positive effects of the 200 million US dollars of the World Bank loan, which was given to Eximbank, was also discussed." During the meeting, which was also attended by the representatives from Is Bank, Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi, Akbank and Garanti Bank, the problems of the financial world were discussed. It was stated that Dervis has told the bankers that they were on the same board and suggested them to calm down. (Turkiye)

Results Of Oksuz's Resignation

The resignation of the Minister of Communication, Enis Oksuz, which has occurred the day before, has initiated positive developments in the foreign currency rate and in the stock exchanges. The determined manner of the Central Bank was supported by the Turkish banks, and, thus, 1 US dollar decreased from 1,500,000 to 1,370,000 TL. In addition, the Istanbul Stock Exchanges (IMKB) has gained value by 4.8%. The markets interpreted the results of the Leaders Summit and Oksuz's resignation as "The Government supports the agreements that has been made with the International Monetary Fund." (Sabah)

Kahkonen's Busy Agenda

The delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), chaired by the IMF's Representative to Turkey, Juha Kahkonen, continue to maintain contacts in Ankara. The IMF delegation have met the representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, Treasury and State Planning Organization at 10:00 at the Undersecretariat of Treasury. During the meetings, mostly the tax revenues, tax administration, institutions with circulating capital, Public Economic Enterprises (KIT), public financing and debt administration were discussed. During the meetings held with the IMF officials, the reflections of developments occurring the previous day on the developments of yesterday were also taken up. (Turkiye)

Meeting Of Dervis And Ulusoy

State Minister Kemal Dervis met with the Chairman of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), Basaran Ulusoy, and the accompanying delegation. Ulusoy said the tourism sector would give the greatest contribution to the Turkish economy and that the government should give the necessary support to the sector. While leaving the meeting held at the Undersecretariat of Treasury, Ulusoy said the situation of the tourism sector had been discussed during the meeting. Ulusoy said Dervis agreed with him in the sense that the greatest contribution can be provided by the tourism sector to the Turkish economy. (Cumhuriyet)

Dervis Warns Bankers

State Minister Kemal Dervis held a meeting with the foreign and Turkish high ranking administrators of the banks yesterday and said, "The amount of the US dollar was too high the day before. We do not want the US dollar to increase this much." During the meeting, the latest situation of the markets was also discussed. Dervis also pointed out the fact that enough proposals were not extended to the 7-months bond bidding and asked the reason of it to the bankers. The bankers said the reason of it was the uncertainty of the markets. Thus, Dervis demanded the common sense of the bankers. Following this meeting, Dervis met the Undersecretary of Treasury, Faik Oztrak, and the Governor of the Central Bank, Sureyya Serdengecti. (Milliyet)

Bush: "We Are Following Turkey Closely"

It was stated that the American President George W. Bush had been closely following the developments in Turkey. Bush held a meeting with some foreign reporters before the G-Summit to be held in Geneva, Italy and spoke about various issues, including the economic difficulties. When a journalist wanted him to evaluate the economic situation in Argentina, Bush said, "I am worried about the economic situation of Argentina." He added that he was following the situation in Turkey more closely than Argentina. However, he has not given any details concerning the issue. (Milliyet)

Chairman Of The Tim Elected

The 8th Ordinary General Council of the Turkish Exporters Assembly(TIM) was held yesterday. During the Council, Okan Oguz, who has been the Chairman of the TIM for six years, has forwarded his duty to the Chairman of Istanbul's Exporters of Textile and Raw Materials, Oguz Satici. At the end of the General Council, 222 of 240 delegates have voted and Satici was elected with 128 votes. He said, "Okan Oguz has been the Chairman of the TIM for six years. We plan to benefit from his experiences." (Turkiye)

Economic Crisis On The Agenda Of G-8 Summit

The economic crisis that has occurred in Turkey will be discussed at the G-8 Summit in Geneva, Italy, tomorrow. "Financial Times" daily that the risks and difficulties of the US economy's slowing pace, the fragility of the Argentine and Turkish economies and the inactivity of the Japanese economy would be discussed at the G-8 meeting. (Cumhuriyet)

Turkish Bonds Gain Value

Following the resignation of the Turkish Minister of Communication, Enis Oksuz, the Turkish 30-years-term dollar bonds have increased by 4.7% and 3.25 points and thus, has reached 72.8% of its nominal value. A trader from a bank in London, said Oksuz's resignation had created positive impacts in the markets. He added that Turkey had also been supported by the developments in the developing countries and added that there was a relief in Turkey. (Sabah)

Carlsberg In Turkey

Carlsberg Breweries Company, which has previously purchased 47.77% of the Turkish Tuborg, has increased its shares to 50.01% within the company and thus, entered the Turkish brewery market. Chairman of Bimpas Drink Group, Ercument Berilgen, said Calsberg has begun sales in Turkey and added that Carlsberg beers were produced in the Turkish Tuborg factories. He added, "We have sold 340,000 bottles in two days. Our aim is to have a market share of 5% in three years." (Milliyet)

La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra To Stage Concert In Istanbul

Italian rubber company, Pirelli, will boost the Turkish business world's morale. Owner and the Chairman of the Executive Board of Pirelli Company, Marco Tronchetti Provera, will bring the famous Italian La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra to Istanbul. La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra will give a concert at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress Hall on July 24. Pirelli Company has been making productions in Turkey for more than 40 years. The Orchestra will complete its European tour in Istanbul within the framework of the International Italian Music Festival, Ravenna and will stage the works of Verdi. (Milliyet)

Andy Warhol's Exhibition In Istanbul

The exhibition, consisting of the original works of Andy Warhol, who is interpreted as the most important representative of the American pop culture, was opened at Yapi Kredi Kazim Taskent Art Gallery in Istanbul the evening before. Warhol's original works, which take place in the exhibitions that are held within the framework of the millennium activities of the US, are insured for 9 million US dollars. (Hurriyet)

From The Columns... From The Columns... From The Columns...

Crisis Over Technocrats By Yilmaz Oztuna (Turkiye)

Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the recent developments and the suggestions for cabinet of technocrats. A summary of his column is as follows: "Even the rumors concerning a cabinet of technocrats sufficed to increase the rate of the dollar to 1.6 million Turkish liras. If, such a guided cabinet were formed the rate of one US dollar would immediately fly to 2.5 million Turkish liras. With Such a cabinet the rate would increase even higher. It is gruesome even to joke about it. However, it is believed that the first reason in the increase in the rate of the dollar was due to the news and even discussion concerning the advent of a cabinet of technocrats. This rumor first started circulating in autumn. For a whole year it reached everyone. As the crisis got deeper, it was widespread. Technocrats come from among high-ranking civil servants. Great services, close to miracles are expected from them. However, they are ordinary people, who have not been able to enter politics or the parliament but seem to know all. People want a Government formed of representatives supported by two or three capable ministers out of the TGNA at the most. The terror of technocrats only results in the increase of the rate in interests and dollars. It would lead Turkey to be excluded from international democratic institutions. However, we agree with the Government that the crisis we are going through has helped some to get rich. The insistence of the leaders to appoint ordinary representatives who do not have any political or legislative experience as ministers is the basis for writing scripts concerning a cabinet of technocrats."

Decision Reached By The Summit: Confidence In The Government

BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET) Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the meeting of the Coalition leaders. A summary of his column is as follows: "During the summit meeting held with the economy bureaucrats following the resignation of the Minister of Communications Enis Oksuz, the problem was diagnosed and a primary target was determined. All those attending the summit agreed on one point and that problem stemmed from a lack of confidence in politics. They also decided to take steps to establish the confidence in the public. The State Minister Kemal Dervis, Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak and Banking Regulation Supervision Board Chairman Engin Akcakoca answered the questions of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz on the fluctuations in the markets and agreed that the problem was the lack in the establishment of confidence. Serdengecti, Oztrak and Akcakoca all explained what they were doing in their relative fields and gave detailed information to the leaders. State Minister Kemal Dervis briefly summarized the problem and its solution thus: "There is no economic or financial picture which would necessitate such fluctuations. The problem stems from a lack of confidence in politics. If an atmosphere of confidence can be established in the public the problem will be solved eventually.' The leaders also agreed with this assessment accepted by the other high-ranking officials. During the summit it was also decided that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz would be more frequently informed by the technical staff in detail. This decision was reflected in the declaration issued after the communiqué, as a 'strong coordination is to be established'. During the Summit, the program targets were also reviewed. In the light of the present data it was stated that revisions might be made in the program targets. The inflation rate could be reviewed and more realistic targets could be set. High-ranking officials stressed the need to continue with the fluctuating exchange rates. It was not a choice but a necessity to continue with the fluctuating exchange rate. On the high rate of interests, the solution was pointed out as the establishment of a confidence atmosphere and strengthening of this trust in the people. It was also agreed upon to refrain from uttering statements, which would adversely affect the people's confidence, and be in contrast with the economic program. The leaders and the Government stated that they firmly stand behind this program."