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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

12 DECEMBER 2000

Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Speaking about making an amendment to the Article 69 of the Constitution to make disbandment of parties difficult, Kivrikoglu said, ''it is inconvenient to make amendment to this article. Amendment to this article means making concession to separatism and fundamentalism.''

Gen. Kivrikoglu also expressed concern for the Kurdish TV and education.

AMBUSH TO POLICE
Assailants opened gunfire on a police bus, which was on its way to Gazi district, where there were illegal demonstrations to protest F type prisons. Two policemen died, and 12 others were injured. It was reported that the police vehicle was always going from the same direction, and that the attack was a planned one. Illegal terrorist TKP/ML organization claimed responsibility for the attack.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TELEPHONE BILLS TO INCREASE
The value added tax charged from telephone calls increased from 17 to 25 percent. There will be a significant increase in the telephone bills as of January, 2001. The value added tax on the natural gas is also expected to increase from 8 to 17 percent. The government is expecting an incraese of 100 trillion TL from the tax increases.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Josef Ackermann from Deutsche Bank said that the meeting openly showed that international finance institutions continue being optimistic about the stability programme and its effects on the Turkish economy.

DEUTSCHE BANK SAYS INTEREST RATES SHOULD DROP
Deutsche Bank, Europe's second biggest bank said in a report that Turkey's economic picture would be more clear after the additional letter of intent is released after the IMF meeting on Dec. 21. The report said interest rates should drop in a short period of time, adding that the banks would have a hard time if this doesn't happen. Deutsche Bank said that foreign investors are waiting to find out about the details of the IMF support to enter the Turkish market.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

IMF COMPLETED ITS HOMEWORK
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, which carried out contacts in Turkey since December 3 after the crisis which had been experienced in financial markets, wrapped up their talks.

The IMF delegation re-arranged the supplementary intent letter, which they had drawn the framework in October, following the crisis in financial markets. Turkey is expected to send the intent letter to the IMF within this week.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TOFAS AND RENAULT SUSPEND PRODUCTION
Tofas Turk, a leading motor vehicles producer, decided to have its workers go on a leave with half pay due to the decrease in general consumption demand and increase in motor vehicles purchase credit. Renault, another leading motor vehicles manufacturer will suspense its production on Friday due to the same reasons.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

DEATH FAST IN PRISONS SPREAD TO STREETS
Terrorism is increasing while the inmates' protest against F-type prisons enter its 54th day. The terrorists who had clashed with the police two days ago in Istanbul opened gun fire against a security bus in Gazi district yesterday. Two policemen died while 11 others were injured in the incident.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

DEMIREL MEDIATES
Former President Suleyman Demirel mediated for the Middle East where bloodshed could not be prevented. Demirel, who visited Israel on Monday, pointed out that, ''Turkey is ready to make every effort to end violence and for the establishment of the Middle East peace again.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ANKARA FEELS UNEASY: EU ACTED CARELESSLY
Ankara, who felt uneasy over its non-inclusion to the document which was issued in Nice Summit related with the institutional reforms, conveyed this to France, the EU term president.

Foreign Ministry officials said that Turkey, which was not included in the Document as ''full membership negotiations with her didn't start,'' thinks that the EU has acted carelessly about this issue.

-ILLEGAL TERRORIST TKP/ML ORGANIZATION CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE ATTACK ON A POLICE VEHICLE IN GAZIOSMANPASA DISTRICT
ISTANBUL - Illegal terrorist TKP/ML claimed responsibility for the attack on a police vehicle in Gaziosmanpasa district which killed two policemen and injured 12 others on Monday.

Istanbul Security Department said medical treatment of the 12 policemen continued in hospitals.

Officials said those who were injured in the attack were Yahya Sakalli, Emin Gul, Lutfi Kalin, Aydin Sensoy, Murat Mus, Aydin Yigitler, Halil Durmaz, Huseyin Unal, Melihsah Yuceler, Recep Okay, Hasan Polatkan and Murat Kulyer.''

-DYP'S CENSURE MOTION ABOUT GOVERNMENT REFUSED BY PARLIAMENT
ANKARA - Parliament refused to include the censure motion in its agenda which was presented by the True Path Party (DYP) acting leaders about Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Ministers Council members for allegations of bringing the country on the brink of an economic crisis.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Onal said the economic crisis was not caused by the government's mistakes or incapabilities. Noting that they are taking measures which the previous administrations failed to take, Onal said the government made significant progress. Populist policies prevented 17 stand-by agreements from becoming successful, Onal went on to say. The coalition government which included DYP cut all ties with the IMF by turning Turkey into an unreliable country, he asserted.

Onal indicated that the economic stability programme of the government will help to bring down the inflation which is the cause of unbalanced income distribution and overcome public deficits.

''The disinflation programme is not an imposition, but it is a realistic solution of the nation's problems,'' Onal went on to say. ''This programme was formed by taking all the realities of the Turkish economy into consideration. We must increase the Turkish people's prosperity level permanently. The censure motion would delay stability and create wrong views among public about the programme's future. The censure motion should have been given about the previous administrations. Those who presented the censure motion must have difficulty in understanding the operation of the finance and economy sector.''

The censure motion was refused to be taken into Parliament's agenda through the votes of the deputies forming the coalition government.

Parliament General Council will continue debating the budget at 11 a.m. today.

-LAUNCHING OF TURKSAT 2A POSTPONED
COUROU SPACE BASE - The launch of the Turksat 2A satellite was postponed on Tuesday as additional verifications on the satellite had been requested.

Enis Oksuz, the Minister of Transportation who came to French Guiana to watch the launch of the satellite said they postponed the launch of Turksat 2A as they didn't want to risk such an expensive investment.

Addressing a press conference held at the Kourou Space Base, Oksuz said there were risks in the satellite technology, adding that there might be postponements in the launch of the satellites.

Noting that every part of the satellite had a back up, Oksuz said if a malfunction occured then this back up would start to function.

However, said Oksuz problems might occur in the space if a malfunction also occured in the back up part of the satellite.

''We hope that the verifications in the satellite will be positively finalized, and we will be able to launch the satellite on Wednesday,'' said Oksuz.

Jacques Rossignol, the representative of the Ariane Space company, the producer of the Ariane rocket that will carry the satellite to the space, recalled that the launch of Turksat 2A was postponed previously during last week as a malfunction occured in the Ariane rocket.

Rossignol pointed out that this time Alcatel company, the prime contractor of the satellite told them that a problem occured in the satellite.

Rossignol said if an approval was given, then they might launch Turksat 2A on Wednesday.

Pierre De Bayser, the representative of the Alcatel company, said they requested additional verifications on the satellite.

Ilhami Aygun, the General Manager of Eurasiasat company, a joint venture of Turk Telekom and Alcatel, said Turksat 2A was the biggest satellite produced in Europe and added that the launch of this satellite was important.

Edip Safter Gaydali, the Minister of State; deputies Metin Sahin and Mustafa Gul; General Sabri Ustundag, the representative of the General Staff; Ali Helvaci, the Undersecretary of Public Works and Settlement Ministry; Ibrahim Hakki Alpturk, the General Director of Turk Telekom; and Dursun Dagasar, the General Director of PTT, came to French Guiana to watch the launching of the satellite.

-EXPORTS IN TEXTILE SECTOR
BURSA - The textile export increased 18 percent in the first eleven months of the year and reached to 408 million U.S. dollars.

The textile sector exported its products the most to Germany between January and November with an export worth of 63 million 897 thousand U.S. dollars.

The data of the Association of Uludag Exporters show that the textile sector exported its goods to 104 countries and autonomous regions, and eight free trade zones between January and November.

Textile products worth of 346 million 330 thousand U.S. dollars were exported in 1999 while textile products worth of 408 million 938 thousand U.S. dollars were exported in the first eleven months of the year.

This indicates an increase of 18 percent when compared to last year.

The textiles sector exported its products for the first time to fourteen countries and autonomous regions, including Honduras, Bolivia, Cambodia, Macau, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Liechtenstein. The textiles sector didn't export its products to twenty countries to which it had exported goods in 1999.

Germany was the country that the textile goods were exported the most although there was a decrease of 4.7 percent in the amount of textile exportation to this country when compared to last year. The textile products were mainly exported to U.S, Italy, Britain, and Egypt.

The textile products were exported from Istanbul Free Trade Zone the most with an amount of 15 million 367 thousand U.S. dollars in the first eleven months of the year.

Goods were exported to Samsun, and Trabzon Free Trade Zones for the first time.

Brazil ranked the first when the increase in the amount of textiles export is considered. The textile export to Brazil increased 988 percent when compared to last year.

Textiles exports to Uzbekistan decreased 97.7 percent when compared to 1999.

First ten countries to which textile sector exported its goods the most between January and November are as follows:

EXPORT

(THOUSAND DOLLARS)
COUNTRY 1999 2000 RATE OF CHANGE
--------- --------- --------- ------------
Germany 67.053 63.897 - 4.7

U.S. 48.845 51.350 5.1
Italy 35.882 44.020 22.6

Britain 35.303 38.386 8.7

Egypt 15.457 19.014 23

France 16.521 13.355 -19.1

Netherlands 9.240 10.360 12.1

Spain 5.394 9.756 80.8

Greece 5.300 8.373 57.9

Israel 6.278 7.610 21.2

-CONSTITUTIONAL COURT STARTS TO
HEAR THE CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP
ANKARA - The Constitutional Court on Tuesday started to hear the case urging the Virtue Party (FP) to be closed on grounds that it was ''the continuation of the closed Welfare Party (RP),'' and that ''it became the center of anti-secular activities.''

The Constitutional Court, led by the Chief Judge Mustafa Bumin, is comprised of Hasim Kilic, Ali Huner, Yalcin Acargun, Fulya Kantarcioglu, Tulay Tugcu, Rustü Sonmez, Ahmet Akyalcin, Mahir Can Ilicak, Ertugrul Ersoy and Sacit Adali.

The delegation convened at 10:00 local time.

The Constitutional Court, at first, will discuss the contradiction of the contents of the second paragraph of the Article 103 of the political parties law to the Constitution. If the Supreme Court decides that the paragraph contradicts the constitution, it will make a decision according to this. If the court annuls this paragraph, first of all, the reasoned verdict will be written, and the court will continue to hear the case after it has been published in the official gazette.

The title of the Article 103, which Vural Savas, the chief Republican Prosecutor, claimed that it contradicted with the Constitution, is about ''a polical party's being the center of the banned activities.''

Savas had initiated a lawsuit against the FP on May 7,1999 on grounds that FP was ''the continuation of the banned RP party, and that, ''it become the center of anti-secular activities.'''

Savas also called on the deputy statuses of all the parliamentarians of FP to be cancelled, except Aydin Menderes, who resigned from his party one day before the closure case.

-MORE THAN 2,000 POLICEMEN HOLD A DEMONSTRATION IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - More than 2,000 policemen marched on Tuesday from Directorate of Security in Bayrampasa district of Istanbul to the Governor's Office after two of their colleagues were killed by terrorists overnight in Gaziosmanpasa district.

Policemen who tore off posters on street walls regarded with amnesty, staged a sit-in protest in front of the Governor's Office and called on Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir to resign.

During the demonstration in which policemen chanted slogans, Kazim Abanoz, the Director of Security, expressed his profound sorrow over killing of two security officials, and implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved ones.

Addressing the policemen, Abanoz said, ''we are the security forces of the state. We are charged to struggle againts terrorists. Sometimes, we lose our friends in clashes with terrorists.''

Noting that Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan and Turan Genc, the Director General of Security, left Ankara for Istanbul to attend funeral of the two policemen, Abanoz called on policemen to act with common sense and to refrain from creating difficulties.

Later, the policemen ended their sit-in protest and started to march to the Directorate of Security to attend the funeral of their friends.

Two policemen were killed while 12 others were injured in an ambush staged by members of the outlawed Turkish Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (TKP/ML) on a police bus in Gaziosmanpaşa district of Istanbul overnight.

-CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO CONTINUE HEARING
CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP IN AFTERNOON
ANKARA - The Constitutional Court will continue to hear the closure case filed against the Virtue Party (FP) on Tuesday afternoon.

The Court recessed its studies at 12.00 and it will re-convene at 14.00 in the afternoon.

Hasim Kılıc, the Acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court said that a statement can be issued after 17.00 local time if there is a need.

Meanwhile, Mehmet Turhan, the rapporteur of the case also participates in the meeting of the Court delegation.

The Court firstly is expected to give a decision about the application claiming that Article 103/2 of the Political Parties Act which regulates the criteria of political parties' being the ''focus'' of illegal movements, is against the Constitution. After giving a decision, the Court will discuss the closure case against the FP.

A total of 11 members of the Court are hearing the closure case today. Six of these members attended the hearings of the closure case against the banned Welfare Party (RP). Hasim Kılıc and Sacit Adalı had voted against the closure of the RP, while the Chairman Mustafa Bumin and members Fulya Kantarcıoglu, Yalcın Acargun and Ali Huner had voted in favour of the closure request.

Other members of the Court namely Ahmet Akyalcın, Ertugrul Ersoy, Rustu Sonmez, Mahir can Ilıcak and Tulay Tugcu were elected to the Court after the closure case against RP was heard.

-PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS GOVERNMENT BACKS THE ECONOMIC
PROGRAMME WHICH IS IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT GIVING CONCESSIONS
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that the government backs the economic programme implemented without giving any concessions.

''The requirements of the programme will be implemented in resolution also from now on,'' said Ecevit.

Going to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) together with State Minister and Deputy Premier Husamettin Ozkan, Ecevit participated in a part of the TOBB's Broadened Executive Board meeting there.

Speaking in the meeting, Ecevit said that many structural reforms, which have formed an important part of the disinflationary programme, have been undertaken and regulations have been made to solve the long-lasting problems of the banking sector and to reconstruct the sector.

''Banks had left aside their banking activities in a considerable extent and become institutions which gained big profits by issuing high interest public borrowing bills. The arrangements foresee having a healthy banking sector, and its returning back to its banking activities. The banks should create funds for the real sector. Besides the 'sick' banks should be taken under treatment in order to prevent their spreading disease to other banks. This mission has been fulfilled,'' Ecevit said.

Ecevit remarked that the government intervened and took the necessary measures due to the fluctuations in markets that came out due to the lack of liquidity, adding that the trust has been assured by the measures taken.

Recounting that necessary measures have also been taken for the privatization of Turkish Telecom and Turkish Airlines, Ecevit said that tender notices will start to be published as of Dec. 14, adding that the Draft Law on Electricity Market has been open to sigfnature in the cabinet to open the way for rapid privatization in the electricity sector. Ecevit added that the draft will be submitted to the parliament in a few days.

-PAMUKBANK OBTAINS 100 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS SYNDICATED LOAN
ISTANBUL - Pamukbank of Turkey raised 100 million U.S. dollars through a syndicated loan.

Pamukbank said on Tuesday that the agreement on the one-year maturity loan which would be used to finance exports had been signed in London by the creditor banks.

The syndicated loan which has a libor+0.85 percent interest rate had been provided by 31 banks from 18 countries, and it had been led by The Bank of New York, Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank, Commerzbank AG and Standart Chartered Bank, it said.

-SECURITY FORCES DISPERSE A GROUP ATTEMPTING TO MARCH
TO JUSTICE MINISTRY TO PROTEST F TYPE PRISONS
ANKARA - Security forces dispersed a group attempting to march to the Justice Ministry to protest F type prisons on Tuesday.

Relatives of prisoners gathered in Sakarya Avenue and made a press release.

Later, demonstrators carrying banners and chanting slogans, attempted to march to the Justice Ministry.

Security forces intervened in the group, and dispersed demonstrators.

Meanwhile, two journalists from Channel-D and Evrensel Newspaper were injured and taken to hospital for medical treatment.

-FM SAYS SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO TURKEY WAS NOT
DEFINITE AND IT WAS NOT POSTPONED
ANKARA - Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the visit of Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Siba Nasser to Turkey was not clear, thus it was not postponed.

Speaking in a weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz responded to questions regarding the visit of Nasser to Turkey.

When asked why the visit of Nasser to Turkey has been postponed, Dirioz said that his visit was not definite and postponement is out question. Dirioz added that they hoped the visit could take place soon.

Upon a question regarding a possible visit of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to Damascus, Syria, Dirioz noted that this will come to agenda later.

When journalists asked him about the developments regarding the ''Principles Agreement'' that is foreseen to be signed between Turkey and Syria, Dirioz pointed out that ''I don't know when the agreement will result. Technical studies continue, we hope it will be resulted as soon as possible.''

-LEADERS SUMMIT STARTS
ANKARA - Leaders of three political parties forming the coalition government convened on Tuesday for works on National Program which will be prepared under the light of Accession Partnership Accord announced on November 8 by the European Union (EU).

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan; State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel; Foreign Minister Ismail Cem; Volkan Vural, the Secretary General of Turkey's EU Office; Volkan Bozkir, the Deputy Secretary General of Turkey's EU Office; Erdal Turmer, the Chief Advisor of Prime Ministry for Foreign Affairs; and Engin Soysal, the Special Advisor of Cem; are in attendance at the meeting which started at 02:05 p.m.

The meeting is expected to focus on preparation works for the National Program.

-FUNERAL FOR TWO POLICEMEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN YESTERDAY'S AMBUSH
ISTANBUL - A funeral took place at the Directorate of Security in Istanbul on Tuesday for two policemen who lost their lives in yesterday's ambush staged by members of the outlawed Turkish Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (TKP/ML) on a police bus in Gaziosmanpasa district of Istanbul.

Colleagues ans relatives of Mehmet Ali Acuz and Tahir Toka burst into tears during the funeral.

Some relatives of two policemen chanted slogans against the law on conditional release from prison and suspension of cases and punishments.

Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan; Turan Genc, the Director General of Security; Erol Cakir, the Governor of Istanbul; and Kazim Abanoz, the Director of Security in Istanbul; were in attendance at the funeral of Toka and Acuz.

Following the funeral, bodies of Toka and Acuz were sent to their hometowns to be laid to rest.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Tantan refrained from responding to questions of journalists about yesterday's armed attack.

-FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ SAYS EU COULD HAVE ACTED IN NICE SUMMIT BY
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION EQUALITY OF CANDIDATES MORE METICULOUSLY
ANKARA - Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said on Tuesday that the EU could have acted in Nice Summit more carefully by taking into consideration the equality basis of candidates in a more meticulous way.

Dirioz responded to questions of journalists in a weekly press briefing about the place of Turkey in Nice Summit's final declaration.

''Turkey was not included in the enlargement of EU till the year 2010, what is the view of your ministry about it?'' asked a journalist to Dirioz who said that ''certainly the EU could have acted in a way by taking into consideration more carefully the equality of the candidates that was voiced during the Helsinki summit.''

Dirioz said that this was due to the fact that the full membership negotiations with Turkey didn't start, adding that the views of Turkey about this issue were conveyed to the concerned countries, particularly the EU Term President France.

''When the time comes, and when Turkey becomes a full member of the EU, Turkey will get the place it deserves with its power. There is no need for anybody to get suspicious about it,'' he said.

Responding to a question about the Cyprus question, Dirioz said that the Nice final declaration referred to the proximity talks. ''As you know the issue that was mentioned in the Accession Partnership Document about Cyprus is considered within the framework of political dialogue. Turkey continues its efforts by this understanding.''

''Turkey supports the good-will mission of the U.N. Secretary General,'' he said, adding that this issue is neither a political criterion, nor one that will be fulfilled only by Turkey. Dirioz stressed that there should not be such an expectation.

Dirioz recounted that Turkey said from the beginning that the issue is a part of the enhanced political dialogue.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''DECREASING TREND IN
INFLATION WILL ACCELERATE AS OF BEGINNING OF 2001''
ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that the decreasing trend in inflation would accelerate as of the beginning of 2001 as a result of the economic programme which had been reinforced with additional measures, and this would contribute to competitive power of the exporters.

Prime Minister Ecevit and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan attended TOBB Executive Board's meeting on ''Assessment of Economic Conditions in Turkey'' held at the TOBB building.

Speaking at the meeting, Ecevit gave information on the budget and economic programme and said that the 2001 year budget had been prepared in accordance with the economic programme.

Stating that revenues had been foreseen to rise 2.4 percent and expenditures to increase 4.3 percent in 2001, Ecevit said, ''thus, important steps will be taken in the economy.''

Noting that the budget deficit had been foreseen to be reduced by half, Ecevit said Turkey which paid 86 percent of every 100 Turkish lira of tax collection in interest in 2000 would pay 52.5 percent of this amount in 2001, decreasing the rate of interest expenditures in gross national product (GNP) from 16.3 to 10.9 percent.

Recalling that comprehensive works had been carried out for months in order to prevent the operations expecially in banking sector froem negatively affecting the real sector, Ecevit said, ''situations of these several sectors have been taken up one by one in the meetings held between the representatives of these sectors and public officials, problems and necessary measures have been determined and necessary instructions have been conveyed to relevant institutions and organizations.''

''The sensitivity and importance we displayed toward the real sector has always continued in every stage of the programme. Besides, a more sound market structure will be formed as a result of the restructuring of the financial system, creating an appropriate atmosphere for the manufacturing sector and increasing the competitive power of this sector in international platform. The decreasing trend in inflation will accelerate as of beginning of 2001 as a result of the economic programme which was reinforced with additional measures, increasing the competitive power of our exporters,'' he said.

Noting that they would carefully assess the opinions and proposals mentioned in the TOBB's report which was submitted to him, Ecevit said that as the government, they would expend every effort to this end.

Ecevit said that they would continue to act in accordance with the close dialogue with the business circle, and this would be one of the main principles of the government.

-FOREIGN MINISTRY:
-''TURKEY'S SENSITIVITY ON THE ESDI STEMS FROM THE THOUGHT THAT A
POSSIBLE EU OPERATION COULD AFFECT TURKEY'S NATIONAL INTERESTS''
ANKARA - Huseyin Dirioz, the Deputy Spokesman of Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday, ''Turkey's sensitivity on the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) stems from the thought that a possible European Union (EU) operation could affect Turkey's national interests and especially security.''

Staging a weekly press conference at the Foreign Ministry, Dirioz responded to questions of journalists about formation of the ESDI and relations between NATO and ESDI.

Dirioz said, ''Turkey supporting the ESDI process, expends efforts to find a solution to the issue. Turkey will make contibutions in accordance with the current developments, and within framework of the attitude which was determined earlier.''

Informing journalists on the latest developments in formation of the ESDI, Dirioz recalled, ''connection and balance were provided between the position of six non-EU NATO allies, including Turkey, in the structure of the ESDI, and the issue of EU's benefiting from NATO's capabilities like planning, at the NATO's summit in Washinton D.C., the U.S., in 1999. The connection and balance were approved during the NATO foreign miniters' meetings in Brussels and Florence.''

Dirios said, ''the final communique released at the end of the EU heads of state and government summit in Nice, France, said that European Council adopted arrangements with six non-EU NATO allies for them to be consulted. We want to participate in the operation process equally in case of EU's benefiting from NATO's planning capabilities and Turkey's contribution to the EU's crisis operations. Such an implementation was in question within structure of Western European Union (WEU).''

Dirioz said that frame of the relation between NATO and the EU would become clear at the NATO's Council of Ministers meeting in December.

Referring to news reports claiming that U.S. President Bill Clinton sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in which he requested him not to use the right to veto in NATO against the ESDI, Dirioz told reporters, ''this issue is related with the Prime Ministry. The U.S. wants preparation of the EU's relevant operation plans in cooperation with NATO.''

-DEMONSTRATION HELD IN ANKARA TO PROTEST F TYPE PRISONS
ANKARA - The group which was dispersed by security forces after its attempt to march to the Justice Ministry to protest F type prisons gathered in Kizilay Square in Ankara again.

Security forces sprayed water on demonstrators with panzers.

Later, demonstrators marched to the True Path Party's (DYP) Headquarters with stones and clubs in their hands.

After demonstrators damaged vehicles in front of the DYP Headquarters, security forces opened fire in the air.

Panzers sprayed water on demonstrators again to disperse them.

Meanwhile, another group attacked on demonstrators with stones and clubs.

The second group threw stones to the Freedom and Solidarity Party's (ODP) Headquarters.

Most of the business places and stores in the Kizilay Square were closed during the incidents.

Security forces used tear-bombs from time to time to disperse the demonstrators.

Windows of several public institutions and private business places were shattered, and a number of vehicles and bus stops were damaged after the two group started to threw stones to each other.

Demonstrators pulled up paving-stones and threw them to each other.

Kemal Iskender, the Director of Security in Ankara, came to Kizilay Square to receive information about the incidents.

-LEADERS DECIDE TO RESULT NATIONAL PROGRAMME TILL MID-JANUARY
ANKARA - The coalition party leaders decided on Tuesday to result the National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), which will be prepared by Turkey in return to the Accession Partnership Document prepared by the EU for Turkey, till mid-January.

The coalition leaders decided preparation of the NPAA in a way which takes into consideration the priorities of Turkey.

The leaders who came together under the leadership of Premier Bulent Ecevit, evaluated the full membership process of Turkey to the European Union (EU).

Following the first part of the meeting which lasted one and a half hour, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, the Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and the Secretary General of Turkey's EU office Volkan Vural and some other high ranking bureaucrats left the meeting.

A press statement was issued after the meeting and noted that the Accession Partnership Document was evaluated at the meeting: ''The leaders decided that the National Programme should be prepared in a form which takes into consideration the priorities of Turkey by acknowledging the fact that the Document which was prepared under the responsibility of the EU, is a tool that constitutes a basis for the National Programme that will be prepared by Turkey. In this context, the leaders reviewed the comprehensive studies undertaken in respect of both political and economic criteria and also in respect of the EU legislation and they gave the necessary directives regarding the essence and direction of the programme. The leaders decided to result the technical studies on the National Programme which is being prepared under the coordination of Turkey's Secretariat General for the EU by the contributions of all the public institutions till mid-January 2001 to be submitted to the approval of the government.''

-LEADERS SUMMIT ENDS
ANKARA - The meeting among leaders of three political parties forming the coalition government ended on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan; State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel; Foreign Minister Ismail Cem; Volkan Vural, the Secretary General of Turkey's EU Office; Volkan Bozkir, the Deputy Secretary General of Turkey's EU Office; Erdal Turmer, the Chief Advisor of Prime Ministry for Foreign Affairs; and Engin Soysal, the Special Advisor of Cem; were in attendance at the meeting which started at 02:05 p.m.

In the first part of the meeting, the National Program which will be prepared under the light of Accession Partnership Accord announced on November 8 by the European Union (EU), was dissussed.

The latest developments including death fasts in prisons were taken up in the second part of the meeting.

-A DELEGATION HEADED BY FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO
REPRESENT TURKEY AT NATO MEETINGS IN BRUSSELS
ANKARA - NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting will be held at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels between December 14 and 15.

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Northern Atlantic Council, NATO-Ukraine Commission, Europe-Atlantic Partnership Council and NATO-Russia Permanent Partnership Council would also convene at the foreign ministry level.

A delegation headed by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will represent Turkey at the meetings.

At the meetings, issues such as the latest developments in the Balkans, the European Security and Defense Identity, efforts to strengthen security in Europe-Atlantic region through regional cooperation, and provision of long- term security and stability in Southeastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia will be discussed.

-CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ANNULS 103/2 OF POLITICAL PARTIES ACT
ANKARA - The Constitutional Court annulled on Tuesday Article 103/2 of the Political Parties Act which regulates the criteria of political parties' being the focus of illegal movements.

Hasim Kılıc, the Acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court said that they examined the application of Vural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals who claimed that Article 103/2 of the Political Parties Act No. 2820 is against the Constitution.

Kılıc said that the second paragraph of the Article was cancelled by the votes of six members of the Court against five.

Kılıc stressed that they will continue their examination of the case at 10.00 local time on Wednesday.

''Will you give a break to your studies till the publication of this decision in the Official Gazette?'' asked journalists to Kılıc, who said that this issue will be taken up in the meeting tomorrow.

-CITIGROUP VICE CHAIRMAN RHODES: ''INTERNATIONAL
FINANCIAL COMMUNITY WILL SUPPORT TURKEY''
NEW YORK - William R. Rhodes, a Citigroup vice chairman, said on Tuesday that the international financial community would support Turkey.

Speaking to the New York Times, Rhodes said that people were optimistic that Turkey would implement its reform programme as it agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Rhodes said that his bank was prepared not only to keep its credit lines to Turkey open but also to increase its investments in Turkey, particularly if the government follows through on promises to allow more foreign ownership of local banks.

Representatives of 30 European and American banks held on Monday a meeting in Frankfurt and they made commitments to continue lending money to Turkey.

Citigroup have organized a similar ''supportive session'' to be held in in New York on Wednesday.

Sources said that Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel, Treasury Undersecretariat Foreign Economic Relations Director General Aydin Karaoz, and IMF's First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer would attend this meeting.

New York Times said that the decision of the international banks constituted a support to the efforts of the IMF which had accepted to give a 10.4 billion U.S. dollars loan to Turkey.

The IMF agreed last week to provide 7.5 billion U.S. dollars in new loans and deliver about 3 billion U.S. dollars in already promised loans to Turkey.

New York Times stressed that overhauling of Turkey's economy was vital not only for Turkey but also for the investors' faith in the prospects of other major emerging economies.

Both Turkey and Argentina experienced a sudden drop in investor confidence late last month. The two countriess are likely to receive emergency IMF loans later this month.

New York Times said that the troubles in export-oriented developing coutries like Turkey and Latin American countries were linked to the sharp slowdown in the growth rate of the United States economy and the sell-off in American stock markets.

The newspaper said that in Turkey, the coalition government of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, acting with IMF support, began an economic overhaul early this year intended to bring the economy up to European standards, part of its bid to join the European Union.

Over all, Turkey has about 25 billion U.S. dollars in debt that must be paid back within a year, according to Moody's Investors Service. Turkish banks hold about 14 billion U.S. dollars in such short-term loans. Though Turkey's overall debt burden is moderate, its banks could face a serious cash squeeze without continued foreign credits, the newspaper said.

-POLICEMEN STARTS TO MARCH IN BURSA (2)
BURSA - March of a group of policemen in northwestern Bursa province ended on Tuesday.

Aydin Genc, the Director of Security in Bursa, called on the policemen who sang the National Anthem in front of the Ataturk Monument, to disperse.

Later, Naci Kocaoglu, the Deputy Director of Security, said that Genc held telephone conversations with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan about the incidents in Istanbul.

He called on the policemen to return to their duties immediately.

The policemen ended their march and dispersed following Kocaoglu's speech.

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