The National Security Council (NSC) meeting was held at the Presidential Palace yesterday. A written statement issued after the NSC meeting reflected a calm mood, which was later corroborated by official sources who reported a "mature atmosphere" that had prevailed during the entire proceedings. Sources say that Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, as expected, brought up the issue of "Constitutional Amendments", a topic that is closely related to Turkey's EU membership, and underlined why these changes were necessary. Following Yilmaz's presentation Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu the Chief of the General Staff, was quoted by the same sources stating their deep disturbance under the impression being spread that the military is against Turkey's EU membership. Gen. Kivrikoglu was cited as saying that they were not opposed to EU membership or the proposed Constitutional Amendments that bring Turkey in line with the EU legislation. He was nevertheless reported as expressing concern that some aspects of these proposed amendments may be going further than actually required for EU membership. /All papers/
MITREVA IN ANKARA
Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilınka Mitreva visited Turkey to receive further support from Turkey after the signing of the Peace Agreement last week. Explaining the economic problems Macedonia is currently suffering, Mitreva demanded financial support during her meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Reminding the economic crisis Turkey was experiencing, Ecevit said Turkey would help Macedonia finding support in international platforms only. Meeting also with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Mitreva evaluated the recent situation in Macedonia, the process of dialogue and future steps. After the meeting Cem said, "We appreciate the signing of a Peace Agreement. However, ending violence and disarming should be the preconditions of a successful peace settlement." Mitreva said that Macedonia thanked Turkey for her contribution to NATO's power. She was also received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. /Cumhuriyet/
COOPERATION WITH BRAZIL
Brazil and Turkey have decided to take advantage of all the opportunities to cooperate in aero-space industries. Both countries also reached an agreement to act together in the G-20. Additionally, the relations between the Central Banks of the two countries will be improved. During the meetings held between Brazilian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Luiz Felipe de Sexias Correa and Minister of State responsible for Economy Kemal Dervis, Brazil and Turkey decided to cooperate in many areas and to improve bilateral relations taking the similar aspects in both countries into consideration. /Cumhuriyet/
REGIONAL COOPERATION IN MERIC
Edirne Governor Fahri, Yucel stated that cooperation with Bulgaria and Greece, who border the Meric River, will increase in order to encompass a wider spectrum. Yucel held a meeting with local mayors, in which, it was decided to set up a "Local Administrative Union." Yucel reported that the contribution of unions and NGOs to the process was encouraged and added, "Our working committee, along with officials form the Trade and Industrial Union, will be visiting its Greek counterpart from Oct. 5th to 6th in order to form the necessary cooperation in the region. The efforts of Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey in the region will be brought together to formulate a cooperation protocol." /Turkish Daily News/
HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER ARSEVEN RECEIVES UK AMBASSADOR LOGAN
Human Rights Minister Nejat Arseven received UK Ambassador to Ankara David Logan during a cordial visit yesterday. After the meeting, Arseven told journalists that they had exchanged ideas on human rights and some other issues. Logan said that human rights is a crucial matter for Turkey, and they had made a general assessment of it with the Minister. /Turkish Daily News/
TASAR MEETS WITH PEARSON
The US Ambassador to Turkey, Robert Pearson visited Minister of Tourism Mustafa Tasar. Stating the US believed in Turkey's potential in tourism, Pearson said that 500,000 Americans preferred Turkey for their vacations in a year. Meanwhile, Tasar said the number of American tourists visiting Turkey in a year would duplicate or triple. Tasar said, "Turkey will provide American tourists with many alternatives since she has a rich social, cultural and historical heritage." /Cumhuriyet/
AKP RECEIVES TWO CRITICAL LEGAL BLOWS
The newly established Justice and Progress Party (AKP) received two legal blows yesterday, as prosecutors launched an investigation into Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a past speech and attempted to nullify his chairmanship saying his 10-month prison sentence for "inciting hatred and enmity on the basis of religious differences" was an obstacle for being a member in a political party. Prosecutors also demanded the dismissal of six female members from the founder's board of the party because they wore headscarves. /Turkish News/
NEW YORK TIMES ON TURKISH TOURISM
The New York Times said that tourism would be very beneficial to Turkey in the future as the revenues gained in 2001 indicated. Stating that the number of tourists visiting Turkey increased by 20 % compared to last year, the New York Times Turkey Editor, Douglas Frantz, said $7.5-10 billion revenue was expected by the end of the year. /Cumhuriyet/
LOGOGLU TO TRAVEL TO TRNC
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Faruk Logoglu will travel to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) today to maintain contacts prior to the meeting to be held between TRNC President Rauf Denktas and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on August 28th. His visit will end on August 25th. /Cumhuriyet/
TURKISH STARS TO PUT ON SHOW IN AZERBAIJAN
The Turkish Air Force aerobatics team, the Turkish stars, is preparing for a show in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku. In a press conference held by the team's organizer Col. Mehmet Kutlu, it was stated that the show would be a first for Baku whereas it had already been put on in 22 countries around the globe. Kutlu said the team was looking forward to the show that is to be held on Aug. 24th over the Azadlik Square. /Turkish Daily News/
FINANCE AND PRODUCTION CONSULTATION COUNCIL CONVENES
During a 2.5-hour meeting yesterday headed by the Minister of State Kemal Dervis, a decision was made to form a technical working group including technocrats to solve manufacturing industry's problems. Besides high level authorities from private sector, manufacturing and financial sectors' representatives attended the meeting. /Turkiye/ GIANT INVESTMENTS IN ISTANBUL Istanbul Greater City Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna declared the "2002 Investment Plan." The plan includes 404 new ventures out of 928 in total for infrastructure, service, recreation, purchase, sport and transport areas. It foresees a cost of TL 1.2 quadrillion for the investments. The maximum amount of money is allocated to transportation - TL 864.9 trillion. /Turkiye/
TURKCELL TRAINEES' SUCCESS
Four young people, who work as trainees at Turkcell, have created the Surfcell service, which provides the WAP and GPRS users with the opportunity of gaining direct and rapid access to the Internet through their mobile phones. These four young people are students at Yeditepe University and while working as trainees at Turkcell, they have established a software that ensures direct internet access through WAP and thus, have introduced a new technique to the world. /Hurriyet/
ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY TO BECOME LOCOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
The electronics and telecommunications industry, which rank the second most growing market after the automotive by-industrial sector, will be able to increase its exports by 30% if the conditions become more suitable. The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce's (ISO) "Electronics and Telecommunications Report" was prepared within the framework of the ISO Professional Committees' Sector Strategies Development Project on the Process of Full Membership to the European Union (EU). Before the presentation of the report, the Deputy Chairman of ISO, C. Tanil Kucuk, said, "The general growth of the electronics sector of the world has reached a value of 1.3 trillion TL. Although our electronics industry is not at the desired level, it will be the locomotive of the Turkish economy soon with its dynamic structure and high developing potential." /Hurriyet/
TURKISH CUMIN TO INDIA
When India has seen that the use of spice has decreased in her country, she began to allow the sale of cumin seeds. India is expected to import the cumin seeds from Turkey. In the news titled "Tradesmen: Let the Foreign Cumin Come", published in India's "Economic Times" daily, it was written, "The government has permitted the exports of cumin seeds in order to overcome the shortage that has occurred in the domestic market." /Hurriyet/
LASER TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED ON GIANT STATUES
Laser technology will be used and three-dimensional photos will be taken to facilitate the restoration and conservation of the unique historical pieces and statues on "Mount Nimrod" (Nemrut) in Kahta, Adiyaman, Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. The Ministry of Culture, Adiyaman Governor's Office, International Nimrod Foundation, World Monuments Foundation and Turkish Democracy Foundation held a joint meeting to discuss and determine the best methods to be followed in the restoration of historical pieces present on Mount Nimrod. The meeting took place between August 16 and 18. /Turkish News/
RAW STEEL OUTPUT RISES 6.6 % IN FIRST HALF
Turkey's raw steel output increased by 6.6 % in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. Anatolia reported from Iron and Steel Manufacturers Association data that raw steel output increased to 7.46 million tons this year from 7 million tons last year. Diler is the company, which raised its output the most in the first six months. The company raised its output by 837.8% in the first six months of this year. Diler raised its output to 481,000 tons from 51,200 tons. /Turkish News/
