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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-15Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>ANADOLU AGENCYNEWS 15 JUNE 2000 Thursday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 15, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)''WE WON'T DESTROY THE GOVERNMENT''Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said his party will not remain without reaction against the political attacks they were exposed to. He blamed the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) for ''falling into a political trap.'' ''However, the continuation of the government is very important. We won't be the side which would split up the coalition,'' Yilmaz said. ECEVIT:''I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND MHP'' MILLIYET (LIBERAL)GOOD NEWS: WE WILL DETERMINE QUAKES BEFOREHANDProf Dr. Ahmet Vefik Alp, the Prime Ministry Chief Consultant, said that two Turkish scientists had invented a device which can determine beforehand that there will be a quake. Alp stated that the lecturers of the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) were carrying out serious examinations on the quakes. Alp added, ''the device invented by two Turkish scientists, can determine that there will be a quake, one hour before or five days before the quake occurs. If this device is scientifically approved, we can decrease the death toll to the minimum. This device was invented by being inspired by the animals which can feel beforehand that there will be a quake.'' NEARLY TWO THOUSAND HISTORICAL WORKS TO BE RETURNED TO TURKEY ECEVIT:''EXTRADITION OF AGCA TO TURKEY IS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT'' SABAH (LIBERAL)CRAZY LOVERHamza Ceylan fell in love with teacher Arzu Duran. He proposed marriage to Duran, but we was refused. He took hostage Duran in a high school in Cay township of Aegean Afyon province. He forced Duran to lie down in the corridor by pointing a gun at her head. She was rescued after six hours of captivity. CILLER ACCUSES PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION COMMISSIONS OF TAKING CUMHURIYET (LEFT)LET HIM SPEAKNon-governmental organizations and politicians said terrorist Mehmet Ali Agca's extradition to Turkey by Italy would reopen some of the old files. The public has started asking who were the political forces behind Agca. Agca is currently staying in a room for one person at Istanbul's Kartal Prison. Agca will be tried by Istanbul Kadikoy Criminal Court NO.2 for extortion. Turkey needs Italy's permission to try him for other crimes. TWO TURKISH SCIENTISTS INVENT MACHINE TO NOTICE EARTHQUAKES FIVE DAYS RADIKAL (LEFT)YILMAZ ACQUITTEDThe Parliamentary Investigation Commission, which was founded to investigate claims about Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), accusing him of declaring new tourism areas in Istanbul against laws, decided not to refer him to the Constitutional Court for prosecution. THIRD INTERNATIONAL BOGAZICI FESTIVAL STARTS YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)ECEVIT: ''I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MHP IS TRYING TO DO''Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that tension and mystery continued regarding parliamentary investigations. Addressing the Democratic Left Party (DSP) group meeting, Ecevit said, ''I cannot understand what the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is trying to do. I don't want this tension to lead to a political crisis and instability.'' TURK: ''AGCA CANNOT BE RE-TRIED FOR IPEKCI MURDER'' CLASH ERUPTS BETWEEN SECURITY FORCES AND TERRORISTS TURKIYE (RIGHT)the year. ''This was the rate we were expecting,'' Ercel said. Speaking at a conference, Ercel said he believed that by the end of 2000, Turkey will reach the targeted 25 percent inflation rate. DEFENSE GIANT IN TURKEY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)SEZER WARNS YOUNG POLICEMEN ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTSPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer, in a message he sent to a graduation ceremony of a police academy in Izmir, said Turkish police should respect to human rights as a professional principle. ''We cannot deny that we are facing some human rights violations. It is our biggest target to solve this problem,'' Sezer said in his message. Sezer said peace and security were needed in a society so that people can enjoy basic rights and freedoms. ''Turkish nation has always trusted its police force and gave them the support they needed,'' Sezer also noted. [02] U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS UNFICYP'S MISSION UNTIL DECEMBER 15NEW YORK - The United Nations (U.N.) Security Council on Wednesday renewed the mission of Cyprus Peace Force (UNFICYP) until December 15, 2000. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan will submit a new report to the Security Council on Cyprus on December 1. The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved the renewal of UNFICYP's mission however because of the rejection of the Greek Cypriots, the Council dropped the addendum which was added to Annan's report last December. According to the addendum, the Peace Force has to sign a separate agreement with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in order to stay in Northern Cyprus. In reaction, Turkey and the TRNC warned the Security Council and said ''UNFICYP cannot work on TRNC land.'' To the Greek Cypriot administration, the addendum has an important implication. It means ''the TRNC is officially recognized by the Peace Force of the United Nations.'' Therefore the Greek Cypriot side objected to the addendum. The discussions which started in this matter caused the delay of the vote which was supposed to be held on June 12 Monday. Within the last two days, the U.N. Secretariat, Turkey, TRNC and Greek Cypriot administration had held negotitions which did not yield any results. Upon this, Annan reported the problem to the Security Council which decided to drop the annendum. Ambassador Volkan Vural, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the U.N. met with the Council Chairman Jean-David Levitte but their meeting also did not yield any results. Before the vote started, Levitte stated that he received a letter from the representatives of both Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides but did not give detailed information about the content of the letters. Levitte only said Vural in his letter said ''Turkey fully supports the views of TRNC on the Cyprus issue. Below are some of the points that were included in Vural's letter. -There is no joint government which is authorized to represent the two sides on the island. -The Republic of Cyprus which was established in 1960, was destroyed by the Greek Cypriot administration in 1963. -TRNC does not recognize the illegal Greek Cypriot administration. -The agreement which was signed between the Greek Cypriot administration and UNFICYP on March 31, 1964 is not valid for TRNC. -UNFICYP can continue its mission only by the approval of both sides. -The current draft law obstructs searches for peace in Cyprus.Turkey warned the Security Council by saying that the decision to drop the addendum was a wrong step and it will have serious reflections. Speaking after the vote, Levitte said all Council members hope that the third round of proximity talks which are expected to start in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 5 would be successful. In the meantime, Vural asked to have a meeting at the Council where he could express his views over the matter. However the Council members turned down his request by saying that the meeting might create a tense atmosphere between the sides. Diplomatic sources told A.A that the U.N. Secretariat took a step back because of the pressure coming from the Greek Cypriots. The same sources are asking the question of whether or not TRNC President Rauf Denktas will attend the talks in Geneva. ''The Council ignored the existence of two sides in Cyprus,'' said TRNC New York representative Ambassador Aytug Plumer. Plumer said the decision aims to satisfy the Greek Cypriot side. ''The truth is that UNFICYP cannot work on the island without the approval of both sides,'' he said. [03] DSI COMPLETES TEN RESERVOIR PROJECTS IN GAPGAZIANTEP - State Water Works General Directorate completed ten projects aimed to increase water products as a part of the South East Anatolia (GAP) Project. Four projects are still running and 15 projects are in planning stage. The projects are aiming to increase the currently 439 tons of water products to 45,398 tons at ten GAP reservoirs which have been completed. DSI General Directorate will announce the fishing technical conditions and time period at these reservoirs. DSI will also announce areas where fishing is banned. Authorities from DSI said they want to breed fish in these reservoirs and raise the number of people whose main income is fishing from 1,500 to 150,000. The project also aims to encourage fish consumption among people by reducing its price.[04] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU DUE IN TURKEYISTANBUL - Anna Diamantopoulou, the Commissioner of the European Union (EU) Commission for employment and social affairs, will pay a visit to Turkey between June 22-24 as guest of the Economic Development Foundation (IKV). Releasing a statement, the IKV said on Thursday that Turkey sould undertake several responsibilities and commitments in political, economic and social fields during the unification process with the EU. Stressing that one of the most important issues which Turkey should take up in the process, was employment and social policy, the statement noted that the IKV had invited Diamantopoulou to underline importance of the issue. Diamantopoulou will address opening ceremony of a panel discussion on ''European Union's Social Model and Enlargement Process'' in Istanbul on June 23. Yasar Okuyan, the Labour and Social Security Minister, will also be in attendance at the panel discussion organized by the IKV. Diamantopoulou will hold a series of meetings with representatives of Turkish business circles.[05] ARCHEOLOGISTS SAY TURKEY NEEDS ''TURKISH ARCHEOLOGY INSTITUTE''IZMIR - Archeology Assaciation Chairman Prof. Ahmet Tirpan said a ''Turkish Archeology Institute'' should be founded in order to protect Anatolia's rich historical assets and also transfer them to future generations. For many years, the archeologiest have been asking the authorities to create ''an inventory of Anatolian culture'', but their efforts yielded no results. For a more systematic study, the archeologists say, Turkey needs an archeology institute like those that exist in other countries. Foreign archeologists who are carrying out excavations in Turkey are connected to the institutes in their own country, Tirpan said. ''Archeology institutes manage all procedures from getting excavation permissions to providing budget for excavations,'' he added. Turkish Archeology Institute, if founded, should be an autonomous institute, Tirpan said and he also noted that such an institute would lighten the load of the Culture Ministry. ''We cannot unearth them although Atatolia has a very important historical richness, nor we can stop the damage,'' Tirpan asserted. ''This history is being damaged. And most of the time the excavations are not completely scientific. The most important task of the Institute will be to set up an auto-control system in the archeology field.'' Among other countries, Turkey gives permission to the highest number of excavations, Tirpan stated and said regulations should be brought to have a control over excavations carried out by foreign archeology teams in Turkey. ''Archeology institutes in other countries bring the condition of joint teams. It is not like that in Turkey. Foreign teams come and dig and later they publish their findings in their own language. Therefore, Turkey cannot contribute to science,'' he explained. Lecturer at Ankara University's Faculty of Language, History and Geography, Prof. Hayta Erkanal said if a Turkish Archeology Institute is founded, this will bring together the universities' scientific potential and the state's legal authority which will enable a more efficient system. ''Turkey's archeologic potential exceeded the capabilities of the Culture Ministry. We need new and more serious regulations,'' Erkanal stated. Archeologist Prof. Mehmet Ozdogan from Istanbul University noted that such an institute will also be a control mechanism over those who damage archeological findings.[06] NATO'S COOPERATIVE PARTNER-2000 MANEOUVRES TO START ON JULY 19 IN UKRAINE'S ODESSA PORTANKARA - Cooperative Partner -2000 NATO/PfP (Partnership for Peace) Naval Maneouvres planned by NATO South Region Commandership will be performed in Western Black Sea and hosted by Ukraine. The General Staff issued a statement on Thursday saying that Turkey, the U.S., Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Britain, Romania, Ukraine and Greece will participate in the maneouvres with amphibious troops and various types of warships. Azerbaijan and Sweden are joining the maneouvres only with their personnel. NATO's Mediterranean Permanent Naval Force (Stanavformed) and NATO Mediterranean Permanent Mine War Force (Mcformed) will also participate in the maneouvres. Turkey will participate in the maneouvres with its TCG Trakya frigate, TCG Tayfun and TCG Poyraz assault boats, TCG Sapanca and TCG Foca mine detecting ships, TCG Osmangazi Amphibious tank ship, TCG Orucreis frigate, TCG Yarbay Kudet Gungor fuel tanker, TCG Erdek mine collecting ship and its naval troop of 150 soldiers. The statement said the maneouvres aim to support peace and humanitarian aid. Partner-2000 NATO/PfP will start on June 18 in Ukraine's Odessa port and will last until July 1.[07] SECURITY FORCES FIND WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION AT PKK'S ARSENAL IN HAKKARI -ONE TERRORIST SURRENDERSHAKKARI - Security forces found big amounts of weapons and ammunition in an arsenal owned by the terrorist organization PKK in Cukurca township of eastern Hakkari province on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, gendarme teams started searching Kaynak and Isikli villages in the township. They found 16 kalashnikows, one machine gun, one hand grenade, 19 electrical primers, many cartridges, C-4 explosives, many ammunition and five video casettes. A terrorist named Ibrahim Celik surrendered to gendarme teams in Hakkari. Celik was unarmed when he surrendered.[08] HALF OF 4.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR DONATION OF SWEDISH GOVERNMENT TO BE USED FOR GAP PROJECTSSANLIURFA - GAP projects will benefit from half of the Swedish government's 4.4 million U.S. dollar donation to help social development in Turkey's eastern and south eastern provinces. GAP Regional Development Management director Erkan Alemdaroglu told A.A correspondent that half of the donation will be used for projects aiming to raise the status of women and help young people in GAP area. The Sustainable Development Programme which was started between GAP Management and United Nations Development Programme is consisted of 29 sub-projects. The programme which aims to strengthen social development has a budget of 5.2 million U.S. dollars, he stated. GAP has been drawing attention from foreign countries in the recent months. Changing Mardin's city center to a tourist site is also among the activities which are aimed through the project.[09] CHINESE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY PRESIDENT GUO CHAOREN DIES GULER, PRESIDENT GENERAL DIRECTOR OF A.A SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCEANKARA - Guo Chaoren, the President of China's official Xinhua News Agency, died on Thursday from an unspecified illness at the age of 66. Mehmet Guler, the President General Director of Anadolu Ajansi, sent a message to Xinhua's Bureau in Ankara, and expressed his profound sorrow over demise of Guo. In his message, Guler said, ''with great sorrow, we have recently learned that Guo Chaoren had passed away in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. His loss will be felt in the news world at large as well as in the Chinese community.'' During his 44-year journalistic career, Guo worked as a correspondent in Tibet, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces and later as Xinhua's secretary-general and vice-president in Beijing. He took over as president in 1992. Guo was elected president of the Organization of Asia-Pacific Agencies in 1994.[10] TOKER, CHAIRMAN OF OSYM: ''INTERIOR AND JUSTICE MINISTRIES HAVE TAKEN ALL NECESSARY MEASURES FOR A SAFE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM''ANKARA - Dr. Fethi Toker, the Chairman of the Student Selection and Placement Center (OSYM), said on Thursday, ''the Interior and Justice ministries have taken all necessary measures for a safe nationwide university entrance exam on Sunday.'' Staging a press conference, Dr. Toker said, ''a total of 1,414,820 students will take the exam at 09:30 a.m. on June 18 throughout Turkey and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The Foreign Language Exam will be held on June 25.'' Noting that all preparations had been finalized for the exam, Dr. Toker told reporters, ''question sheets will be sent to the exam centers by lorries. Security forces and transport couries will escort the lorries. The question sheets will be taken under protection by official of exam centers. The Interior and Justice ministries have taken all necessary measures for a safe university entrance exam.'' When asked whether or not students wearing Islamic-style headscarves would be allowed to take the exam, Dr. Toker said, ''if students can prove their identities, they will be allowed to take the exam. When asked whether or not additional measures have been taken in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions, Dr. Toker said, ''the Interior and Justice ministries have taken all necessary measures throughout Turkey. More measures have been taken in these regions. More than 500 lecturers have been sent to the region.'' The nationwide university entrance exam was cancelled less than 14 hours before the exam, after two question sheets were stolen in Istanbul last year.[11] SWEDISH GOVERNMENT GIVES UNDP 4.4 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO BE USED IN PROJECTS TO DEVELOP TURKEY'S EASTERN AND SOUTH EASTERN PROVINCESANKARA - Swedish Ambasssador to Turkey Kurt O. Wyss on Thursday signed an agreement to give United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 4.4 million U.S. dollars to be used for development projects in Turkey's eastern and south eastern provinces. Wyss and UNDP Permanent Representative Alferdo Witschi-Cestari signed the agreement at the Swedish Embassy. In a speech he made after the signature ceremony, Wyss said this aid programme focuses not only on the south east which has been drawing a lot of attention from the international community, but also will support projects in eastern Turkey. Half of the donation which is 2.2 million U.S. dollars will be used for six projects to raise the women's status and help young people to develop their skills in GAP area. In East Anatolia, Wyss said, they will work on 13 projects to increase development potentials of the eastern provinces and promote the region's cultural richness. Alfredo Witschi-Cestari said the donation is the highest amount made among European countries. This donation, Cestari said, proves the importance of Turkey in the eyes of the international community. One of the goals of this programme is to raise Turkey's all regions to the same development level and thus to help Turkey's joining the European Union. GAP Chairman Olcay Unver said the Swedish government's donation will be a big step in sustainable development.[12] WESTERN THRACE TURKS TO GET TOGETHER IN LONDONLONDON -Several associations of Western Thrace Turks will get together at the General Assembly which will be held in London on June 17-18. Representatives of about 100 associations from Greece, Germany, Turkey, Australia, the Netherlands, the U.S., the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Britain got together. Five deputies from the Human Rights Commission of the Turkish Parliament are also expected to attend the Assembly. Europe Western Thrace Turkish Federation Chairman Necmi Hasanoglu said they will assess the present situation of Western Thrace Turks and take decisions for future studies at the assembly. Hasanoglu said the General Assembly will draw attention from the world to the cause of Western Thrace Turks. He also noted that despite the growing Turkish-Greek rapproachment in the recent months, no positive developments took place for Western Thrace Turks. ''This is because Greece insists on their racist and denial policies. As long as this mentality exists in the Greek state policy, Western Thrace Turks will keep getting disappointed,'' Hasanoglu asserted. Despite the warming atmosphere between the two countries, religious leaders of the Turkish community in Western Thrace are still prisoned and their lands are sequestrated by the state. ''Greece has not changed its position in minority rights therefore it is necessary to present this issue as an international cause,'' he added. One purpose of the Assembly is to remind the European Union about their responsibilities in assimilation policies conducted against Western Thrace Turks. The Assembly will start on June 17 Saturday. Following the speeches, the commissions will start discussing various problems in order to propose a solution.[13] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR SLOVAKIAANKARA - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, left on on Thursday for Slovakia on a two-day official visit as guest of his Slovakian counterpart Eduard Kukan. Cem will be received by Slovakian President Rudolf Schuster and Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda. Cem's contacts are expected to focus on bilateral relations, regional and international issues.[14] 14TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FESTIVAL STARTSIZMIR - The 14th International Izmir Festival will start on Thursday night with a concert of ''The Philharmonia'', one of the most prominent orchestras of the world, in the ancient theatre in Ephesus. Leonard Slatkin will conduct the orchestra in opening concert of the 14th International Izmir Festival organized by the Izmir Culture, Art and Education Foundation (IKSEV). Leonidas Kavakos, a Greek violinist, will participate in the concert as soloist. The Philharmonia will play ''Egmond Overture'' of Ludwig van Beethhoven and ''Third Symphony'' of Aaron Copland. British Philharmonic Society will give a concert in the ancient Ephesus Theatre on June 17. La Scala Theatre and Ballet Company will perform on June 20 within framework of the 14th International Izmir Festival. El Paso Texas Symphony Orchestra, Izmir State Opera and Ballet, Red Army Choir and Waterbury Choir will give concerts during the festival.[15] BAYAR, CHAIRMAN OF PRIVATIZATION ADMINISTRATION BOARD: ''I GOT IMPRESSION FROM THE FOREIGN ENTREPRENEURS THAT TURKEY'S GENERAL PICTURE SEEMS POSITIVE FROM OUTSIDE''ISTANBUL - Ugur Bayar, Chairman of Privatization Administration Board, said on Thursday he conveyed privatization program in Turkey to the managers of the leading investment funds. Speaking about the meeting which was attended by the 25 administrators of the 12 leading investment funds managing portfolio worth of billions of U.S. dollars, Bayar said investments in Turkey and the region and the opportunities were discussed. Bayar said he got the impression from the foreign entrepreneurs that Turkey's general picture seemed very positive from outiside. Bayar spoke to journalists following the meeting which was closed to the press. He said he conveyed the managers general about the general situation in Turkey, and that privatization program was implemented within the annouced framework, the developments in privatization process of GSM, and Turk Telekom, and that macro economic program operated well. When asked, ''international investors look for places where they will make money. What kind of examples have you given in Turkey,'' Bayar said, ''visit of such a group to Turkey shows their interest to Turkey. We lose morale sometime due to internal problems. Yet, I got the impression from the foreign investors that Turkey's general picture seemed positive from outside.'' Responding to another question, Bayar said visit of the managers of the leading investment funds in the period of beginning of Turk Telekom tender, was a coincidence. Pointing out the importance of stability in Turkey, Bayar said, ''if political stability continues in Turkey, and if the view that Turkey is a country that international investments can be made, we believe that the figures we have mentioned will be higher. We are exerting efforts in this respect.'' Bayar said stability in Turkey was covered by the foreign entrepreneurs.[16] YILMAZ, HEAD OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, IN VATICANROME - Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of the Religious Affairs who is currently in Vatican, met on Thursday with Cardinal Francis Arinze, the Chairman of Papacy Inter-religious Dialogue Council. Addressing the meeting, Yilmaz stressed, ''peace in the world is not a dream, but we cannot provide peace in the world without providing peace and setting up dialogue among religions.'' Meanwhile, Cardinal Arinze expressed his pleasure with hosting Yilmaz in Vatican. Underlining the importance of inter-religious dialogue, Cardinal Arinze noted that every country was holy for the Catholic Church. He stressed that Turkey was a very important country in regard to Christianity Church. Cardinal Arinze called on Christian world to visit Turkey within framework of celebrations to mark 2000th anniversary of Jesus Christ's birth. Following the meeting, Yilmaz came together with a nine-member group consisted of Portugueses, Jordanians and Britons. Altan Guven, the Turkish Ambassador to Vatican, was also in attendance at the meeting. Yilmaz is scheduled to meet with Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, the Chairman of the Papacy Eastern Churches Congregation, later in the day. Yilmaz will hold a meeting with Pope Jean Paul II on Friday. He is scheduled to meet with Jean-Louis Tauran, the Secretary for Relations with Other States.[17] REPORTS OF INVESTIGATION COMMISSIONS PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT: ''I THINK THE REPORTS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED BEFORE PARLIAMENT RECESSES''ANKARA - Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut said on Thursday that he thought reports of the investigation commissions should be discussed before Parliament recessed, and noted that his office would fulfil its duties in this respect. Akbulut said the date when the reports would be discussed, will be determined by General Assembly. Report of the commission, which was set up to investigate the allegations against Burhan Kara, former State Minister, that he misused authority in several tenders of Maritime Undersecretariat, and which decided that there was no need to send Kara to Constitutional Court, was submitted to Parliament Speaker Akbulut. Akbulut said the commission prepared the report after intense working, adding that Parliamentary General Assembly will give the final decision about the report. Pointing out that reports of the seven commissions, which were set up to investigate several allegations, reached to Parliamentary Chairmanship, Akbulut said four of them were published and distributed. He said these reports would be taken to the agenda of the General Assembly within seven days.[18] THIRD STAGE OF SEAWOLF-2000 MANOEUVRES CONTINUES IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS OF THE AEGEAN SEAABOARD TCG KEMALREIS FRIGATE - Seawolf-2000 Manoeuvres, one of the concerted military exercises of the Naval Forces Commandership, continues in the international waters of the Aegean sea. In the third stage of the manoeuves, conducted by Admiral Bulent Alpkaya, Fleet Commander, the elements of the Fleet were divided into three, and performed tension period activities. In this part, planes belonging to Air Forces, frigate, assault boat, and logistic ships belonging to Naval Forces carried out trainings of assessment and assault. The ships belonging to the Fleet will pay visits to Izmir, Gokceada, and Bozcaada on June 17.[19] FENER GREEK-ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE TO ORGANIZE A CONFERENCE ON ''YOUTH IN THIRD MILLENNIUM CHURCH''ISTANBUL - The Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate will organize a conference on ''Youth in the Third Millennium Church'' between June 18-25 in Istanbul within framework of celebrations to mark the 2000th anniversary of Jesus Christ's birth. Issuing a written statement, Constantin Ananyadis, the Press Adviser of the Patriarchate, said on Thursday that young students, academicians and representatives of international church organizations and international culture organizations would attend the conference. Issues such as ''Drug and AIDS'', ''Environment Problems'', ''Human Rights'', ''Unemployment'', and ''Future Effects of Peace and War'' will be discussed at the conference which will be opened by Patriarch Bartholomeos I on June 18 at the Hilton Hotel in Istanbul.[20] DECISION OF U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL REGARDING CYPRUS PEACE FORCEANKARA - Foreign Ministry on Thursday reacted to the decision of the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council which extended the mission of Cyprus Peace Force (UNFICYP) until December 15, 2000 with the ''consent of Cyprus government.'' A statement released by the Ministry pointed out that, ''the decision contradicts with the sovereign equality principle of Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides.'' The statement recalled that the U.N. Security Council held a meeting on June 14, and decided to extend the mission of the U.N. Peace Forces till December 15, 2000, and noted that this force acted on Cyprus since 1964. The statement said existence of the Peace Forces on the island could not prevent the attacks of Greek Cypriots between 1964-74, and noted that only peace operation, held in 1974, managed to provide the security of Turkish Cypriot people. Pointing out that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were careful in making cooperation with the U.N. Peace Forces despite this, the statement said, ''recent decision says mandate of the U.N. Peace Forces was extended with the consent of Cyprus government. In fact, there is not a government on the island representing whole of Cyprus as it was attributed in the decision. So-called 'Cyprus government,' is only the government of Greek Cypriot side. Existence of the U.N. Peace Forces in Northern Cyprus is only possible with the cooperation shown by TRNC government. Methods of this cooperation should be assessed with an agreement that will be reached between the TRNC authorities and the U.N. Peace Forces.'' Stressing that the decision was contrary to the sovereign equality principle of Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, the statement said Turkey did not accept the decision. The statement said Turkey and the TRNC would review their future relations with the U.N. Peace Forces in a comprehensive way, adding that, ''it is clear that these developments don't constitute a positive contribution to the efforts to find a solution to Cyprus question.''[21] TURKEY-ALBANIA JOINT ECONOMIC COMMISSION MEETING STARTSANKARA - Lufter Xhuveli, Albanian Agriculture Minister, said on Thursday that they wanted the Turkish private sector to play an important role in development of Albanian economy. Turkey-Albania Joint Economic Commission's Sixth Term meeting started in Ankara. Faruk Bal, the State Minister, and Xhuveli are presiding the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Xhuveli stressed that Albania attributed great importance to relations with Turkey. He thanked Turkey for its support to Albania during the crisis in the Balkans. Stressing that Albania, one of the underdeveloped countries in the region, had taken significant steps in democratization and provision of domestic stability, Xhuveli recalled that they adopted a development plan for 2001-2003 period. Noting that they decided to prioritize private sector in economic development, Xhuveli said that their target was liberalization in the economy. Recalling that the Turkish Kenkbank had purchased the National Commercial Bank (NCB), the second biggest public bank of Albania, Xhuveli said, ''we will privatize other banks. We want the Turkish side to participate actively in privatization of strategical sectors.'' Meanwhile, State Minister Faruk Bal said in his part that further improvement of relations between Turkey and Albania would make a valuable contribution to regional peace and stability. Bal noted that Turkey supported Albania's membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO). He said that Albania could benefit from Turkey's experiences with the European Union (EU) in the liberalization process. Bal stressed, ''last year's trade volume between the two countries, which was 67 million U.S. dollars, is far from the desired level. The Balkan Countries Development of Trade Center which was established in 1998, can undertake important functions to this end. Meanwhile, we are ready to encourage our commercial banks to carry out activities in Albania. Turkish entrepreneurs' joint investments in Albania is about 6 or 7 million U.S. dollars. We should increase it. Turkish firms are interested in the privatization process in Albania.'' Underlining the importance of West-East Corridor Highway Project connecting Balkan countries to each other, Bal emphasized that the project would increase prosperity in the region.[22] PARLIAMENTARY PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMISSION ADOPTS DRAFT RESOLUTION FORESEEING ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EU GENERAL SECRETARIATANKARA - Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission on Thursday adopted the draft resolution regarding establishment of European Union (EU) General Secretariat, aiming to provide coordination and harmonization to the efforts of Turkey in its EU full membership process. The draft resolution, prepared by a Sub-Commission of the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission, was changed while under discussion in the commission. Under the draft resolution, the EU General Secretariat will be responsible for providing a coordiantion to all foreign contacts and works carried out by Foreign Ministry in membership process. The General Secretariat will also carry our secretariat services of the committees and councils which will be established to prepare Turkey to EU membership, and will direct the implementation of the decisions. The General Secretariat will be assigned to make required investigations under the direction given by the decisions of the committes. The EU General Secretariat will be composed of Domestic Coordination and Harmonization Committee, and seven department chairmanships linked with the General Secretariat. Secretary General will be appointed among the Foreign Ministry officials which are in Ambassador level. Secretary General will provide required cooperation and coordination in the direction of the foundation target of the General Secretariat. Four Deputy Secretary Generals will be appointed from Foreign Ministry, State Planning Organization Undersecretariat, Treasury Undersecretariat, and Foreign Trade Undersecretariat aiming to help Secretary General in his works. Domestic Coordination and Harmonization Committee, composed of the representatives from public institutions, will be set up to carry out efforts to adjust the EU regulations.[23] INVESTIGATION COMMISSION DECIDES NOT TO REFER AGAR TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURTANKARA - Parliamentary Investigation Commission, which was set up against former Interior Minister Mehmet Agar, decided on Thursday not to refer him to the Constitutional Court on charges of ''forming an illegal organization to commit crimes.'' Masum Turker, Commission Chairman, who spoke after the meeting, said the decision was taken with eight votes in favour. Turker pointed out that four parliamentarians from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and two parliamentarians from the Virtue Party (FP), voted to send Agar to Constitutional Court. Report of the commission will be submitted to Parliamentary Chairmanship on June 20, and will be taken to the agenda of General Assembly seven days after its publishing.
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