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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-06-18Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>ANADOLU AGENCYNEWS 18 JUNE 2000 Sunday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 18, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)RIFAAT'S SECRET VISIT TO TURKEYRifaat al-Assad, the brother of late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, came to Turkey to request support to replace his elder brother who was on his deathbed. Rifaat al-Assad, who understood that his elder brother would transfer the power to his son Bashar al-Assad rather than himself, applied to the Turkish Embassy in London in the end of last year. Rifaat al-Assad met with an official at the embassy. Rifaat al-Assad said that his elder brother Hafez al-Assad was pursuing policies against Turkey and that he was the only one who could change this policy. Rifaat al-Assad also said that he wanted to go to Turkey and hold contacts. The embassy informed Turkey about Rifaat's request. Rifaat al-Assad was brought to Turkey three days before the new year. The visit was under the control of National Intelligence Organization (MIT). Rifaat al-Assad told the officials his opinion about Hafez al-Assad's health condition and reiterated the same commitments, requesting Turkey's support to take over the power in Syria. Rifaat al-Assad left Turkey six days later. A government source told the Hurriyet that they only listened to Rifaat al-Assad but later decided to support Bashar al-Assad. TURKISH SIGNATURE TO MOLDOVAN CAPITAL MILLIYET (LIBERAL)CYPRUS CRISISThe Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) plans to take measures against the resolution of the United Nations Security Council extending the mission of Cyprus Peace Force (UNFICYP) until December 15, 2000 by dropping the addendum which envisages that the Peace Force has to sign a separate agreement with the TRNC in order to stay in Northern Cyprus. President Rauf Denktas met with Alvaro De Soto, the Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to Cyprus, for the second time. At the meeting, President Denktas stressed that the Turkish Cypriots could not accept the resolution which ignores the reality of two states and the equal sovereignty of the two sides on Cyprus. AKBULUT: ''WE WISH THERE WERE NOT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT'' SABAH (LIBERAL)FOUR GUARANTEES FROM DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELIDeputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli ended all the early general election and crisis discussions with the statement he made in Tokat province of the Black Sea Region. These are the messages of Bahceli: ''There is not a crisis in the government. There is not a confidence problem among the coalition partners. Also, I did not propose early general elections. The parliament can withdraw from recess and work to make Constitutional amendments which will end the Supreme Court discussion.'' ''TURKEY IS GOING WELL, ITS RATING CAN INCREASE'' CUMHURIYET (LEFT)''AN ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION JUST LIKE AN ARMY''According to a report prepared by the intelligence units, the illegal ''Jerusalem Forces'' organization has nearly 15 thousand members. The intelligence units deciphered the ''Jerusalem Forces''. ''Jerusalem Commandos'' which involved in assasinations of secularist journalists and writers including Ugur Mumcu and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali, is a sub-branch of the Jerusalem Forces. The illegal organization was set up by an order of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1990. MINA URGAN TO BE LAID TO REST RADIKAL (LEFT)CAKICI HAS CELL PHONE AND CHALLENGES STATEThe wardens of Kartal Prison cannot take the cell phone of notorious mafia boss Alaattin Cakici, whose supporters turned Bayrampasa prison into bloodshed. Cakici swore at the officials from the camera in the courtyard. It was claimed that a cell phone was brought to Cakici, who is kept in Kartal Prison, 15 days ago and that the prison administration cannot take the cell phone. A total of five cell phones had earlier been seized from Cakici's cell in the prison. Cakici said, ''if you are brave enough, come and take it.'' BIG EXAMINATION YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY IN IZMIRA total of 21 billion Turkish liras (TL), 10,000 U.S. dollars, and 10,000 German marks were stolen from Keresteciler Branch of Halk Bankasi in western Izmir province. Unidentified assailants entered into Halk Bankasi branch on Friday night by breaking down the alarm of the bank. They took the keys of bank's safe from the drawer where they were being kept and entered into the safe. The robbers who opened the safe, stole 21 billion TL, 10,000 U.S. dollars and 10,000 German Marks and ran away. Security officials said that the robbers found the keys of the safe without checking the other drawers. Security officials think that the robbers got help from workers of the bank because the alarm was easily broken down and the place of the keys were known. STATE MINISTER YUCELEN VISITS AUSCHWITZ CONCENTRATION CAMP TURKIYE (RIGHT)BAHCELI: ''THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT CRISIS''Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said, ''There is neither a government crisis nor a problem of confidence in the government. Not desiring Yilmaz's entrance into the cabinet means not desiring the ANAP in the government. But we are coalition partners with the ANAP.'' Bahceli noted, ''we proposed to amend Article 83 and 100 of the Constitution which govern prosecution of MPs, currently protected by a strong immunity coverage. If we amend these two articles, discussions on decisions taken by parliamentary investigation commissions, will be minimised.'' SECURITY MEETING IN DIYARBAKIR ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)ROUTE TOWARDS GUNSThe guardians explained how the guns and cell phones are brought in the Kartal Prison. Two routes are followed to bring the guns and cell phones in the prison. The guardians said that the guns and cell phones are brought in the prison through the window of the kitchen and the A Tower. The guardians and other officials have active role in bringing the guns and cell phones into the prison. THEY STOLE 32 BILLION TL [02] UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM STARTSANKARA - Dr. Fethi Toker, the Chairman of the Student Selection and Placement Center (OSYM), said on Sunday, ''the nationwide university entrance exam started at 09:30 a.m. No incidents have occurred till the moment when the exam started.'' ''A total of 1,414,820 students are taking the exam throughout Turkey and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). 825 disabled people, 301 soldiers and 582 prisoners are also taking the exam. A total of 208,890 teachers are supervising the exam. The exam will last for three hours. The results of the exam will be made public in the end of July,'' he noted. Toker added, ''the Interior and Justice ministries have taken all necessary measures for a safe university entrance exam.''[03] 14TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FESTIVAL STARTSIZMIR - The 14th International Izmir Festival started on Saturday night with a concert of ''The Philharmonia'', one of the most prominent orchestras in the world, in the ancient theatre in Ephesus. Leonard Slatkin conducted the orchestra in opening concert of the 14th International Izmir Festival organized by the Izmir Culture, Art and Education Foundation (IKSEV). Leonidas Kavakos, a prominent Greek violinist, participated in the concert as soloist. The Philharmonia played ''Egmond Overture'' of Ludwig van Beethhoven and ''Third Symphony'' of Aaron Copland. The orchestra received a standing applause from the audience. 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.[04] FOURTH INTERNATIONAL WESTERN THRACE TURKS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES IN LONDON (1)LONDON - The Fourth International Western Thrace Turks General Assembly convened in London on Saturday. The Western Thrace Turks, Sema Piskinsut, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, and three members of this commission joined the general assembly meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Piskinsut said that their commission has closely been pursuing and supporting the rightful case of Western Thrace Turks since 1993. Piskinsut noted that 23 delegation from the parliament have visited the region since 1993 and that they have closely pursued several cases. The democratic states respect to the human rights of all the citizens, defend and protect these rights, Piskinsut pointed out. Noting that defensing human rights individually can be wrong and can be considered as an action against the state, Piskinsut said, ''to this end, the states should protect the rights of the citizens rather than the individuals. This is a sin qua non for the 21st century.'' Piskinsut reminded her listeners that the commission will discuss the Western Thrace issue for four days starting from Monday and that chairmen of 45 associations in Western Thrace and the administrators of non-governmental organization will participate in this session. The report which will be followed in the end of the meeting, will be submitted to the parliaments of friendly countries and the human rights organizations in the shortest time, Piskinsut stated. Piskinsut drew the attention that the struggle of the Western Thrace Turks whose rights were taken under guarantee by agreements, cannot be considered as terrorism and as a rebellion against the state. ''This is a rightful case. This rightful case will certainly win in the end as all the other cases which is based on rights, belief, and affection,'' Piskinsut added. Korkmaz Haktanir, Turkey's Ambassador to Britain, said that the rights of Western Thrace Turks should be protected. Haktanir noted that Turkish Republic will be beside the Western Thrace Turks in their case. ''As the rights of Western Thrace Turks are gained, the Western Thrace Turks will be an element which improves the friendship and cooperation between Turkey and Greece rather than being an element of tension,'' Haktanir said. Haktanir stated that despite the rapproachment between Turkey and Greece, the erosive implementations against Western Thrace Turks continue. Haktanir wished the diagnosis and proposals which will be put forward in the meeting, will help solution. Hakki Muftuzade, the Representative of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in Britain, said that his nation which had earlier experienced similar problems, are a nation which can understand the problems of Western Thrace Turks. Muftuzade hoped the Western Thrace Turks will reach their rights one day. Necmi Hasanoglu, the Chairman of European Western Thrace Turks Federation, said that if the Greek government wants to take positive steps towards the rights of Western Thrace Turks, it should permit the re-establishment of non-governmenal organizations and associations having the name ''Turkish'' in their title. (To be continued)[05] ISTANBUL MAYOR GURTUNA ATTENDS RECEPTION HOSTED BY CONTI, AMBASSADOR OF VATICAN TO TURKEYISTANBUL - Ali Mufit Gurtuna, the Mayor of Istanbul, attended on Saturday a reception which was hosted by Luigi Conti, the Ambassador of Vatican to Turkey, to mark 22nd anniversary of Pope Jean Paul II's taking over the papacy. Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II; Nevzat Yalcintas, Istanbul deputy of the Virtue Party (FP); Kadir Topbas, the Mayor of Beyoglu district of Istanbul; Mustafa Sarigul, the Mayor of Sisli district of Istanbul; Ahmet Bahadirli, the Mayor of Bakirkoy district of Istanbul; Hungarian, Austrian, Croatian and Belgian ambassadors were in attendance at the reception. Meanwhile, when asked about the tete-a-tete meeting between Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs, and Pope Jean Paul II in Vatican, George Morovitch, the Representative of Vatican Embassy to Istanbul, said that inter-religious rapproachement would make a valuable contribution to peace in the world.[06] FOURTH INTERNATIONAL WESTERN THRACE TURKS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES IN LONDON (2)LONDON - Mehmet Emin Aga, the Xanthi Mufti, said that rights are not granted but are gained and that they should continue to struggle until they gain their rights. Speaking in the Fourth International Western Thrace Turks General Assembly held in London, Aga said that their target is gaining their rights which were provided by the Lausanne Treaty. Aga added that the Western Thrace Turks will exist forever. Ibrahim Serif, Komotini Mufti, said that a new page was opened regarding the Western Thrace Turks. Serif recalled that the Greek government was sentenced to pay nearly 10,000 U.S. dollars regarding a case in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Serif noted that the Western Thrace Turkish society will donate this money to those who were affected by the massive earthquake that hit Athens last year, to show that it only attributes importance to living in peace and that it does not attribute importance to financial values. Micheal Stephens, a former deputy of Conservative Party, said that the Lausanne Treaty, Helsinki Declaration, United Nations (U.N.) Convention and many other international agreements are full of provisions rearding the protection of minority rights. Stephens noted that the minorities cannot be made to leave aside their religion, language, and culture and that such pressures cannot be made on minorities. Greece violates all the international agreements which defend the rights of Western Thrace Turks and that this violation cannot have an excuse, Stephens stated. Stephens stressed that the Article 19 of the citizenship law that Greece adopted in 1955, is one of the biggest strokes hit on the human rights and the citizenship rights of Western Thrace Turks and that the reports of the U.S. State Department clearly put forward the wrong policies that are pursued. Referring to the statement of Xanthi Mufti Mehmet Emin Aga who said that the rights are not granted but are gained, Stephens said that Aga's statement was correct and that the rights can only be gained by struggle.[07] 17TH EUROPEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIPSANTALYA - Natalia Nasaridze, the Turkish sportswoman, became on Saturday the European champion in classical bow event in the 17th European and Mediterranean Archery Championships. Nasaridze defeated Russian Bolotova 106-103 and won the gold medal. Russian Bolotova became the silver medalist while Belorussian Karateva won the bronze medal. Russian Tsirempilov became the European champion by beating the Italian Dibuo 114-110 in men's classical bow event. Turkey has won three gold medals in the end of championships and became the most successful team of this championships.[08] GENERAL CELASIN, COMMANDER OF AIR FORCES, DUE IN THE U.S.WASHINGTON, D.C. - General Ergin Celasin, the Commander of Air Forces will pay an official visit to the U.S. between June 19-24 as guest of General Michael Ryan, the Commander of the U.S. Air Forces. General Celasin is scheduled to meet with General Richard Myers, the Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Whitten Peters, U.S. Secretary of the Air Force. He is expected to return to Turkey on June 24 after visiting several air bases in the U.S.[09] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER AYTEKIN LEAVES FOR HUNGARYISTANBUL - Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin left for Hungary on Saturday. Aytekin will join the ''European Union (EU) Environment Ministers' Meeting'' which will be held in Szetendre between June 18 and 19, 2000. At the Ataturk Airport of Istanbul, Aytekin told reporters that the meeting is organized to prepare ''EU Sixth Environment Action Program'' which is expected to take effect next year. Aytekin said that the environment ministers of EU countries and the environment ministers of Central and Eastern Europe countries which are the EU candidates, will join the meeting. He believes that the meeting will be beneficial because Turkey will present its opinions and proposals and because the environmental administration in Europe will be improved with the cooperation of EU member and candidate countries, Aytekin noted. Responding to a question on the decree prepared for the abolition of Environment Fund, Aytekin said that he does not know the recent shape of the decree but that he received information that many ministers did not sign the decree. Aytekin reminded the reporters that the EU continuosly recommends and suggests transfering the Environment Fund directly to the Environment Ministry. ''Although the fortification of Environment Ministry in respect of personnel and finance is foreseen, a 10 percent fund is a small amount. There cannot be bargaining in this issue. A ministry cannot survive like this. To this end, I felt sad about this decree,'' Aytekin said. Aytekin said that 100 percent of the Environment Fund should be given to the ministry. ''This fund should not be given to the initiative of the ministries. I, as the Environment Minister, should not use this fund as I like. We can take into consideration the EU standards and prepare our regulations in accordance with these standards. Then, we can use the fund in the direction of the interest of the country,'' Aytekin added.[10] STATE MINISTER GUREL IN FRANKFURTFRANKFURT - State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel met on Saturday with the representatives of Turksih associations in Offenbach, Germany. Gurel said that the solution of problems of the Turkish citizens living in Germany exists in Germany itself, adding, ''unite on a common horizon.'' Gurel noted that the Turkish citizens who have economic and social place in Germany, should submit their requests to the Germans. They should take joint action rather than separate action and that thus, their power can be realized by others, Gurel stated. Gurel stressed that Turkish government facilitates the procedures for Turkish citizens who want to take German citizenship. ''Our target is not preventing adaptation. I also told this to the German authorities. We ensure the continuation of all the rights of you, who leave the Turkish citizenship and become German citizens, in Turkey except the political rights,'' Gurel added. Some of the representatives of the associations said that Turkish government should lift the denaturalization from Turkish citizenship process by making amendments to some of their laws. The representatives also said that thus, the Turkish citizens' becoming German citizens can be facilitated and such people can have dual citizenship. Gurel called on the representatives to take joint action regarding the Turkish and religion courses. ''Submit all these requests to the German authorities. And, we will support you,'' Gurel said. Gurel will return to Turkey on Sunday after releasing a press conference at the Turkish Chief Consulate.[11] GREEK GOVERNORS AND MAYORS CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN FRIENDSHIP MEETING DUE TO UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONSMARMARA ISLAND - The Greek governors and mayors could not participate in the friendship meeting which was held on the Marmara Island on Saturday within the framework of the Local and Regional Administrations Europe Cross-Border Cooperation Agreement, due to unfavourable weather conditions. Ahmet Enon, the Mayor of Marmara Island hosting the meeting, said that significant resolutions were taken in the convention to ensure unity among the countries which are the members of the Council of Europe (COE) and to improve the cooperation. Enon noted that the resolutions can be put into effect with the efforts of the sides and that they organized this meeting to bring together the Turkish and Greek sides to solve the local and regional problems. They invited the governors and mayors who are in office in two sides of the Aegean Sea, and the administrators of the countries that are coastal to the Marmara Sea and the Straits to discuss the problems resulting from the seas, Enon stated. Enon stressed that the Greek governors and mayors could not participate in the meeting due to the storm in the Aegean Sea. The prevention of sea pollution, hunting ban, the transportation problems of the islands in the Erdek Gulf, and the formation of fund to meet the losses caused by the sea accidents were discussed in the first day of the meeting. The meeting will last for two days.[12] ANCIENT ZEUGMA SITE BECOMES CENTER OF ATTRACTION FOR TURKISH AND FOREIGN ARCHEOLOGISTSGAZIANTEP - Ancient Zeugma site which will remain under the waters of Birecik Dam, has become the center of attraction for Turkish and foreign archeologists. Beside the archeologists and scientists, the politicians, bureaucrats and journalists are also interested in ancient Zeugma site which shelters the unique bronze statue of war god Mars and fascinating mosaics. Sources told A.A correspondent on Sunday that seven villas, 65,000 bullas, the bronze statue of Mars, small channels, many statues, tap apparatus, water installation equipment on which there were symbols of animals and plants, frescos, and 2,000 square metre mosaics have been found in the ancient Zeugma site until today. The sources said that the region draws the attraction since a part of the ancient site will remain under the waters of the Birecik Dam. A delegation headed by Ali Iliksoy, the Acting Parliament Speaker, and including the members of the Parliamentary Culture and Arts Council; State Minister Mustafa Yilmaz; Culture Minister Istemihan Talay; Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu; Mustafa Tasar, the deputy leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); and Olcay Unver, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Regional Development Administration; are among those who have visited the ancient Zeugma site until today, the sources noted. The sources stated that Premier Bulent Ecevit, Fuat Miras, the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the members of the TOBB Executive Board, and the chairmen of the council will visit the ancient Zeugma site on June 20. The ancient site was found after German archeologist Jorg Wagner realized that the Belkis ruins belonged to the ancient Zeugma site in 1976. The systematic excavations in the ancient site were launched by the Gaziantep Archeology Museum in 1992. David Kennedy, Catherina Abadie Reynel, and German and Swiss archeologists headed by Martin Hartmann have participated in the excavations until today. The artifacts unearthed from the ancient site will be displayed in the Culture Center which is being constructed in the garden of Gaziantep Ancient Site.[13] GAP REGION AND POPULATIONGAZIANTEP - Population of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region which was 6,128,973 in 1997, is expected to increase by 24.13 percent to 7,607,900 in 2007. In the same period, Turkey's population which was 62,865,574 in 1997, is expected to rose by 14.44 to 71 million 944 thousand. According to the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data, investments in the GAP region played an important role in increase of the regional population. The provinces in the GAP region, their populations in 1997, and their approximate populations in 2000, 2005 and 2007 are as follows: ---- PROVINCE 1997 2000 2005 2007 INCREASE (%)----------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- ADIYAMAN 678,999 745,557 885,023 940,564 38.52 BATMAN 400,380 422,195 466,885 483,486 20.75 DIYARBAKIR 1,282,678 1,355,083 1,503,672 1,559,186 21.55 GAZIANTEP 1,127,686 1,171,858 1,260,525 1,291,279 14.50 KILIS 109,908 103,302 91,561 87,227 -20.64 MARDIN 646,826 681,089 751,174 777,084 20.13 SIIRT 262,371 269,144 282,224 286,132 09,05 SANLIURFA 1,303,589 1,424,529 1,677,545 1,777,836 36.38 SIRNAK 316,536 339,387 386,790 405,106 27.98 --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ------- TOTAL 6,128,973 6,512,144 7,305,399 7,607,900 24.13 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------- TURKEY 62,865,574 65,300,000 70,222,000 71,944,000 14.44 ---- [14] TCDD TO PURCHASE 60 ELECTRICAL MAIN LINE LOCOMOTIVESANKARA - The State Railways General Directorate (TCDD) will purchase 60 main line locomotives to be used in the modernization of Ankara-Istanbul railway. The main line locomotive project will be held in two stages. The TCDD General Directorate will receive the bids for 23 locomotives on June 27. If the General Directorate receives appropriate bids, it will increase the number of locomotives to 60. The locomotives which will have a maximum speed of 200 kilometres per hour, will be designed in a way that it can carry 250 tons of load. Some of the main line locomotives will be imported from foreign countries. A great deal of the locomotives will be produced in the Tulomsas' installations with the contributions of TCDD. A total of 200 million U.S. dollar loan is expected to be used for the production of the locomotives. The German and French producer companies are expected to be among countries which will priorly take place in the tender.[15] OZAR, SECRETARY GENERAL OF ECO, PRESENTED WITH DIPLOMA OF HONOR BY KYRGYZSTANTEHRAN - President Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan presented Onder Ozar, the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), with the Diploma of Honor on Sunday. President Akayev stressed that Ozar had made a valuable countribution to further improvement of cultural and socio-economic relations between the ECO and Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz Ambassador to Iran presented the Diploma of Honor to Ozar in a ceremony which took place in the Kyrgyz Embassy in Tehran. Previously, Ozar was presented with ''Grand Cordon du Wissam Alaouite'' by King Hassan II of Morocco during his term in office as the Turkish Ambassador to Morocco.[16] UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM ENDSANKARA - The nationwide university entrance exam ended at 00:30 p.m. on Sunday. Dr. Fethi Toker, the Chairman of the Student Selection and Placement Center (OSYM), said that one person who attempted to take the exam on behalf of another person, was taken into custody in southeastern Kahramanmaras province. A total of 1,414,820 students took the three-hour exam throughout Turkey and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The results of the exam is expected to be made public in the end of July.[17] TURKISH UNIT LEAVES FOR JORDANCORLU - The 23-member Turkish unit which will participate in the training manoeuvres exercised within the framework of the agreement between Turkey and Jordan, left on Sunday for Jordan. General Yildirim Turker, the Commander of the Fifth Army Corps, said that Turkish unit is going to a friendly country. Turker continued, ''you will improve the solidarity which will help the two countries take joint action against any danger and any enemy and further improve the confidence between two countries. I believe that you will fulfil the request of that country.'' Hamdi Poyraz, the commander of the Turkish unit which is going to Jordan, said that two countries will exercise training manoeuvres between June 18 and July 8. Poyraz noted that the aim of the manoeuvres is ensuring the improvement of experience of the military personnel, improving the ability to take action in different land conditions, and ensuring the rapproachment between the personnel of two conutries. ''Our unit will go to Jordan for these reasons. We are ready for everything. Our personnel is conscious about the importance of the mission. Our target is doing our best in this mission,'' Poyraz said. The military unit later left for Jordan. The 16-member Jordanian military unit which will join the Turkey part of the manoeuvres, will arrive in Corlu at 06:00 p.m.[18] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BAHCELI: ''WE WANT TO REACH OUR TARGETS IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF POLITICAL STABILITY''TOKAT - Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said on Sunday, ''we want to reach our targets in an atmosphere of political stability.'' Bahceli attended inauguration of a health center in Yolkonak hamlet in Niksar township of Tokat province in Black Sea Region. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Bahceli said, ''there are 5,647 health centers and 11,757 village clinics throughout Turkey. Importance attributed to health services has increased recently in the whole world.'' Deputy Prime Minister Bahceli added, ''Turkey is preparing itself for the 21st century. The 57th government has succeeded in solving long-standing social and economic problems one by one. It was necessary to provide political stability in Turkey. We have succeeded in providing it. Now we want to reach our development targets in an atmosphere of political stability. The 57th government has put into practice a comprehensive program including struggle against inflation.''[19] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT: [00] ''TRANSFER OF THE PARLIAMENT'S INVESTIGATION AUTHORITY TO THE SUPREME COURT WILL BE WRONG''BOLU - Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut said on Sunday that the transfer of the parliament's investigation authority to the Supreme Court will be wrong, and added that the prosecutors can fulfil the duty of investigation commissions. Responding to questions of journalists regarding the parliamentary investigation commission's decision to refer Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) to the Constitutional Court, Akbulut said, ''the Constitutional Court discussions will be held this week. We are implementing the provisions of the by-law. After the reports are distributed to the parliament, the process starts.'' Akbulut added, ''the process will be over on June 22. We continue our efforts to fulfil the provisions of the by-law. We will distribute the report of the commission to the deputies.'' When asked a question on the transfer of the parliament's investigation authority to the Supreme Court, Akbulut said, ''this issue has been discussed for a long time. The transfer of this authority to other constitutional institutions is wrong.'' Akbulut continued, ''the parliament has two duties: legislation and control. The government undertakes the legislation duty. To this end, it will be wrong to transfer the control. But, the prosecutors can fulfil the duty of the investigation commissions.'' Responding a question on whether or not he thinks that the decisions of the commissions are political, Akbulut said, ''the commissions do not take political decisions. This is an accusation, and behaving like this is not correct.''[20] GREEK TRADESMEN VISITS UNION OF ISTANBUL CHAMBERS OF TRADESMEN AND ARTISANSISTANBUL - The Greek tradesmen visited on Sunday the Union of Istanbul Chambers of Tradesmen and Artisans. Suat Yalkin, the Chairman of the Union of Istanbul Chambers of Tradesmen and Artisans, called on the tradesmen and artisans of both countries to further improve the friendship and fraternity. Yalkin said that the businessmen of two countries should launch joint initiatives to improve the cooperation. ''Today's world is getting more integrated and globalized day by day. Turkey and Greece, two close countries, should take the first step in this integration. We are very pleased about the visit of our friends from Salonica,'' Yalkin said. Yalkin added, ''we also want to visit Salonica. We will complete our initiatives on joint protocol which was proposed by our Greek colleagues to improve the cooperation. We target at signing this protocol during our visit to Salonica.'' Georgios Tsentos, the Chairman of Union of Salonica Chambers of Tradesmen and Artisans, said that they proposed to sign a protocol which would increase the joint initiatives between two unions. Tsentos noted that Yalkin welcomed their proposal and that they are very pleased about Turkish side's wish to sign this protocol during their visit to Salonica. The Greek delegation will return to their country on Monday.[21] DE SOTO, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS, SAYS HE HOPES THE RESOLUTION OF SECURITY COUNCIL WILL NOT HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON GENEVA TALKSLEFKOSA - Alvaro De Soto, the United Nation (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus, said on Sunday that he hopes the resolution of the Security Council will not have negative effects on Cyprus proximity talks which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. De Soto told a press conference at the Ledra Palace in the buffer zone that he came to the island to exchange ideas with Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot side, prior to the third round of Cyprus proximity talks which will start in Geneva on July 5. De Soto said that he believes that the interest of the U.N. Secretary General and international community and especially the rapproachment between Turkey and Greee will contribute to the solution of Cyprus question. The Secretary General knows that there are difficulties, and significant developments are not expected in the short term, De Soto noted. Referring to his meeting with Denktas, De Soto stated that Denktas told him that he will review his position once more. De Soto said that he hopes the continuation of the cooperation with the Peace Force. Recalling that he came together with the two sides for two times, De Soto noted that he also held meetings with representatives of the United Nations Security Council's permament members. When asked whether or not the resolution taken by the United Nations Security Council extending the mission of Cyprus Peace Force (UNFICYP) until December 15, 2000 would affect the third round of proximity talks in Geneva, De Soto said that he hoped it would not affect. When asked whether or not there were any change in the schedule of the proximity talks, De Soto told reporters that the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan hoped the proximity talks to turn into conmprehensive negotiations. De Soto noted that they expected the third round of proximity talks to create an appropriate ground for meaningful negotiations. De Soto will continue his contacts in Ankara and Athens. Meanwhile, Zbigniev Wlosowicz, the new Deputy Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to Cyprus, was also in attendance at the press conference.[22] MINA URGAN LAID TO RESTISTANBUL - Mina Urgan, a prominent writer who passed away at the age of 85 on Thursday, was laid to rest in Asiyan Graveyard in Istanbul on Sunday. Ataol Behramoglu, the Chairman of the Writers' Union of Turkey, said that Urgan was a professor of English literature, and added that she had many successful translations from books and poems of Thomas Malory, Henry Fielding, Balzac, Aldous Huxley, Graham Greene, William Golding, John Galworthy and Shakespeare. Behramoglu recalled that Urgan had become famous by her book titled ''Bir Dinazorun Anıları'' (The Memories of a Dinosaur). Vedat Turkali, a prominent writer, said, ''Urgan was one of the most intellectual personalities in the history of the Republic. She was a woman of science, art and affection.'' A number of writers, journalists and friends of Urgan paid their last tribute to her during the funeral. Meanwhile, a ceremony took place out of respect to Urgan in front of the Freedom and Solidarity Party's (ODP) Headquarters in Beyoglu district of Istanbul.
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