Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-11-23

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

23 NOVEMBER 2000 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT: ''EUROPE DECEIVED US''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the European Union (EU) violated the pledges it gave to Turkey on Cyprus and the Aegean issues at last year's Helsinki Summit. Ecevit said, ''the EU deceived us,'' and noted that Turkey's reaction would not remain in words if a result that is appropriate to Turkey's expectations, could not be reached regarding the Cyprus and the Aegean issues.

TERRORIST WHO HURLED A BOMB TO POLICE STATION, KILLED
A terrorist hurled a hand grenade to garden of the Sehit Ismail Akkoyun Police Station in Umraniye district of Istanbul by shouting, ''damn fascism''. The terrorist opened fire on a policeman standing sentry in front of the police station. Security forces intervened in the terrorist and killed him.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

GREAT SUMMIT FOR CYPRUS
The most comprehensive summit on Cyprus issue will be held in the Cankaya Presidential Palace. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and other relevant ministers will be in attendance at the summit. Inclusion of Cyprus issue in the Accession Partnership Accord prepared by the European Union (EU) Commission, and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's statements in the fifth round of proximity talks will be discussed at the summit.

47 PALESTINIANS RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT IN TURKEY
A total of 47 Palestinians who were injured in clashes in the Middle East came to Ankara to receive medical treatment.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

FIRE IN HUNCA COSMETIC FACTORY KILLS TWO FEMALE WORKERS
Nazmiye Islek and Nazli Acar were burnt to death while five other workers suffered severe burns in a fire which broke out in Hunca Cosmetic Factory in Cerkezkoy township of northwestern Tekirdag province. The fire which started at 07:30 p.m. on Wednesday, was extinguished by fire-fighting teams before spreading to other parts of the factory.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

SULEYMANOGLU GRANTED BULGARIAN PASSPORT AND IDENTITY CARD
World and Olympic Champion weightlifter Naim Suleymanoglu of Turkey was granted new Bulgarian passport and identity card. Suleymanoglu who is currently in Bulgaria on a private visit met with Kircaali Police Chief Nedyalko Mitrev. Suleymanoglu said that he was a Bulgarian citizen in accordance with the decisions of the Bulgarian Justice Ministry and European Integration Ministry. Suleymanoglu said that he had applied to police two days ago to take his new passport and identity card, but his application had been rejected. Mitrev said that he apologized from Naim Suleymanoglu for the incident, and said that his new passport and identity card would be prepared immediately. Meanwhile, Kircaali and Mestanli Municipalities of Bulgaria decided to grant Suleymanoglu honorary citizenship status.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKEY SAVED IN LAST MINUTE
The discontent in the last three days in the money markets turned into a great panic yesterday. A serious earthquake shocked the markets, and this was cuased when the foreign investors sold their Treasury bonds. They sold 1.5 billion U.S. dollars (almost 1 quadrillion Turkish liras) paper and they withdrew from the market. A serious lack of TL liquidity happened in the market and the bond interest rates increased to 50 percent. When the banks encountered difficulties in finding the TL necessary for their daily transactions, the interest rates in the money markets climbed to 250 percent. After these negative developments, the stock exchange investors got panicked and they started to sell their papers. After these sales, the national-100 index dropped to 10,000 points. When everybody was saying that the market collapsed, Ankara intervened in the situation. The Treasury Undersecretariat and Prime Minister made statements and they relieved the markets. Later, the Central Bank intervened in the situation. It put 1.3 quadrillion TL to the market, overcoming the TL liquidity problem.

LAWSUT FILED AGAINST FOOTBALL FEDERATION CHAIRMAN
A lawsuit was filed against Football Federation Chairman Haluk Ulusoy and 35 members of Football Federation, requesting imprisonment terms up to five years on charges of ''exploiting the security and making use of the assests of the nation for their personal purposes''.

ECEVIT: ''WE WON'T SEPARATE FROM EUROPE''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that he was deeply disappointed by the Accession Partnership document for Turkey. ''The Commission of Europe has deceived us. However, the EU does not belong to only European countries. We won't separate from Europe.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

SUPPLEMENTARY TAXES TO COME
A draft law on living standards will be valid between Janaury 1, 2001 and dECEMBER 31, 2001. The supplementary tax will be 3.5 billion Turkish lira for the first class merchants and 2 billion TL for the second class merchants. The owners of personal car will pay a supplementary tax between 450 million and 1.2 billion TL.

40 FAMOUS BUSINESSMEN TO BE INTERROGATED
Hayyam Garipoglu, the former owner of Sumerbank, named forty famous businessmen in his testimony within scope of the investigation into Sumerbank. The State Security Court Prosecutor ordered the police the capture those forty businessmen including Cavit Caglar, Yavuz Zeytinoglu, Korkmaz Yigit, Orhan Asliturk and Faruk Keceli. The prosecutor will interrogate these businessmen.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

PRICE INCREASE PROMISE TO IMF
The government which continues talks with the IMF promised IMF officials to increase the price of electricity and fuel oil in coming months.

INJURED PALESTINIANS IN TURKEY
Forty-seven Palestinians including five children who were injured in the fire opened by the Israeli soldiers were brought to Ankara, and they were sent to the Numune Hospital and Gulhane Military Medical Faculty for medical treatment. The Prime Ministry will meet the medical treatment costs. Sources said that the Israeli government had raised several difficulties before those Palestinians were brought to Turkey.

-IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 7.8 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION TO
COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES
GAZIANTEP - The exports of agricultural products to the Commonwealth of Independent States from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first ten months of 2000 decreased 15.5 percent to 7 million 865 thousand U.S. dollars.

In the same period of 1999, the region exported 9 million 297 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural products to the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that in the first ten months of the year, they exported 5 million 525 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles; 968 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; and 1 million 372 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits.

The Turkish goods in greatest demand were textiles and plastic sacks.

-INCREASE IN REPO AND OVERNIGHT INTEREST RATES
AFFECT TL DEPOSIT INTEREST RATES OF BANKS
ANKARA- The recent increase in repo and overnight interest rates affected the short-term deposit interest rates.

Sources said on Thursday that the one-month and three-month deposit interest rates which had been about maximum 40 percent last week increased to 46 percent.

The Turkish lira (TL) deposit interest rates of some of the banks in Turkey are as follows:

(percent)

Name of Banks 1-Month 3-Month 6-Month 12-Month

--------------- ------ -------- ------ -------
Akbank 40 38 36 36

Bank Ekspres 45 37 36 35

Bayindırbank 38 36 33 33

Demirbank 38 33 30 25

Disbank 34 34 33 34

Emlak Bankasi 32 32 31 30

Etibank 40 40 40 40

Finansbank 38 37 35 34

Garanti Bankasi 40 36 34 33

Halkbank 44 42 37 35

Is Bankasi 36 37 37 35

Kocbank 36 35 35 35

Korfezbank 34 32 32 29

Osmanli Bankasi 38 37 33 32

Oyakbank 38 40 39 38

Pamukbank 41 41 38 38

Sekerbank 39 38 36 36

Tekstilbank 46 37 34 34

Toprakbank 44 42 38 36

Turkbank 38 36 32 32

Vakifbank 38 37 36 30

Yapi Kredi Bankasi 36 37 36 36

Ziraat Bankasi 44 46 43 38

-GTO CHAIRMAN ASLAN: ''WE SHOULD DEVELOP OUR
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH SYRIA, IRAQ AND IRAN''
GAZIANTEP - Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO) Chairman Mehmet Aslan said on Thursday that Turkey should develop its commercial relations with its neighboring countries, especially Syria, Iraq and Iran.

Releasing a statement, Aslan said that almost half of Turkey's total 30 billion U.S. dollars of exports could easily be made to Syria, Iraq and Iran if the existing problems with those countries were removed.

Aslan said that development of commercial relations with the neighboring countries would contribute to development of cultural and friendly relations.

Noting that the neighboring countries were the most nearest markets where the GAP region's products could be sold and transported easily and cheap, Aslan said, ''the obstacles in front of the trade routes between the GAP region and these three neighboring countries should be removed.''

''If these trade routes are opened, the trade in the region is revived and production and employment increase, and the economic and social problems will decrease to minimum,'' he added.

-FP LEADER KUTAN: ''PRISONERS ARE BEING EXPOSED TO
PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE DUE TO POSTPONEMENT OF AMNESTY''
ANKARA - Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), said on Thursday that prisoners were being exposed to psychological torture due to postponement of amnesty.

Speaking to reporters, Kutan said neither the opposition nor the public had not been given any information on the content of the amnesty yet.

''We can only read the news articles of dailies about the issue. They will present the amnesty draft law to us probably in coming days and we will be able to make an assessment. However, I know that prisoners are being exposed to psychological torture due to postponement of amnesty. So I want this issue finalized as soon as possible,'' he said.

-SUMERBANK'S FORMER GENERAL DIRECTOR CAPTURED IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - Cengiz Bicer, the former General Director of Sumerbank, was captured in Istanbul in accordance with a warrant of arrest in absentia within framework of an investigation.

Sources said on Thursday that the Bicer ahd been detained late on Wednesday in accordance with the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) no:6's warrant of arrest in absentia in accordance with an investigation launched after Sumerbank's coffers had been emptied.

The Sisli Criminal Court of Peace had sentenced Cengiz Bicer on October 31, 2000 on charges of ''extending illegal loans and embezzlement'' but released him on 50 billion Turkish lira bail.

Sumerbank's management and control had earlier been transferred to the Saving Account Insurance Fund.

-ANKARA DGM TO CONTINUE TO HEAR TWO CASES OF INVESTIGATION
INTO ASSASINATIONS OF MUMCU, KISLALI, AKSOY AND UCOK
ANKARA - The Ankara State Security Court (DGM) no:2 will continue on Friday to hear two cases of investigation into assasinations of Ugur Mumcu, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali, Prof. Dr. Muammer Aksoy and Dr. Bahriye Ucok.

Suspect Rustu Aytufan who confessed that he had placed the bomb in Prof. Dr. Kislali's automobile, is expected to read out his defense during hearing of the second case.

The indictment sought capital punishment to suspect Aytufan on charges of ''attempting to damage constitutional order of the state''.

It sought imprisonment sentences up to 7 years and 6 months to other three suspects on charges of ''aiding and abetting to the illegal Jerusalem Warriors organization''.

Later, the Ankara DGM no: 2 will hear the first case with 17 suspects.

Suspects Ferhan Ozmen and Necdet Yuksel are expected to read out their defenses at the hearing.

Indictment sought capital punishment to suspects Ferhan Ozmen, Necdet Yuksel, Hakki Selcuk Sanli, Yusuf Karakus, Muzaffer Dagdeviren, Abdulhamit Celik, Fatih Aydin, Hasan Kilic and Mehmet Sahin on charges of ''attempting to damage constitutional order of the state by using force'' in accordance with Article 146/1 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

It sought imprisonment sentences up to 22 years and 6 months to suspects Mehmet Ali Tekin and Talip Ozcelik on charges of ''forming an armed gang against security of the state'' in accordance with Article 168/1 of the TCK and Article 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

The indictment sought imprisonment sentences from 15 years to 22 years and 6 months to suspects Mehmet Kasap, Mehmet Gurova, Adil Aydin and Murat Nazli on charges of ''being a member of an illegal organization'' in accordance with Article 168/2 of the TCK and Article 5 of the Anti- Terrorism Law while it sought imprisonment sentences from 4 years 6 months to 7 years and 6 months to suspects Arif Tari and Musa Koca on charges of ''aiding and abetting to an illegal organization'' in accordance with Article 169 of the TCK and Article 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

-PRESIDENT KUCHMA OF UKRAINE IN ANKARA
ANKARA - An official welcoming ceremony took place at the Cankaya Presidential Palace on Thursday in honor of President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine who is currently in Ankara on an official visit.

Addressing the welcoming ceremony, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer pointed out that he was pleased with hosting his Ukranian counterpart Kuchma.

Noting that there had been historical relations between two countries, President Sezer said, ''Ukraine has taken its place in the international coumminty as an independent and sovereign country after collapse of the Soviet Union. President Kuchma has played a determining role in setting up close and strong relations between Turkey and Ukraine.'' Sezer recalled that he met with President Kuchma at the United Nations' Millennium Summit in New York, the U.S., in September.

Underlining importance of President Kuchma's second official visit to Turkey in assessing bilateral relations in detail, President Sezer noted, ''our relations with Ukraine has been continuing to further improve in every field. There are many affinities in our assessments about regional and international developments. We consider Ukraine as an important cooperation partner. Further improvement of relations with Ukraine is one of the main goals of our foreign policy.''

President Sezer added, ''inter-delegationary meetings will accelerate our bilateral relations. During President Kuchma's visit to Turkey, we will sign documents which will strengthen legal basis of our relations. I believe that President Kuchma's visit to Turkey would be a turning point in relations between Turkey and Ukraine. Its positive reflections will be beneficial for our region.''

Meanwhile, President Kuchma of Ukraine expressed his pleasure with continuing productive dialogue with President Sezer which they started at the United Nations' Millennium Summit in New York in September.

Stressing that political relations between the two countries were at the highest level, President Kuchma said that there was an active cooperation between Turkey and Ukraine in international organizations such as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), and the United Nations.

President Kuchma said that Turkey was one of five biggest commercial partners of Ukraine.

Noting that Turkey and Ukraine had also set up cooperation in scientific and technical fields, President Kuchma added that current potential should be well assessed in order to further improve relations.

Omer Izgi, the Speaker of Parliament; Faruk Bal, the State Minister; Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the State Minister; Abdulhaluk Cay, the State Minister; Hikmet Sami Turk, the Justice Minister; Osman Durmus, the Health Minister; and Yigit Alpogan, the Acting Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry; were in attendance at the signing ceremony.

-TURKISH-GREEK CULTURE WORKING GROUP MEMBERS IN CAPPADOCIA
NEVSEHIR - The Turkish-Greek Culture Working Group members visited historical and touristic sites in Cappadocia on Thursday.

The group members who had held their third meeting in Ankara a few days ago visited Nevsehir Acting Governor Adnan Turkdamar.

The members of the Turkish-Greek Culture Working Group are Greek Foreign Ministry Cultural Relations General Director Haralambos Rokanas and Deputy General Director Miltiadis Mistakis, Greek Foreign Ministry Cultural Agreements and Protocols expert Anna Dalamanga, Greek National Education and Religious Affairs Department International Education Works Director Melina Papadaki and Greek Foreign Ministry Deputy Legal Advisor Artemis Papathanassion, and Turkish Foreign Ministry Cultural Affairs Deputy General Director Kenan Tepedelen.

Tepedelen said that working groups had been formed in six fields to improve friendly ties between Turkey and Greece in accordance with an agreement signed leat year, and one of those groups was the Culture Working Group.

Stating that they had discussed the issues of organization of film and music festivals in both countries and exchange of artists in their meeting in Ankara, Tepedelen said that they had reached an agreement on basic issues like sister schools and sister cities.

Tepedelen stressed that those working groups targeted to consolidate friendly ties between Turkey and Greece.

-FM CEM MEETS WITH ARAFAT LATE ON WEDNESDAY
CAIRO- Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met late on Wednesday with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat within framework of the efforts to put the Middle East peace process on its track again and to stop violence in the region.

Diplomatic sources said on Thursday that Cem had also met with Palestinian International Cooperation Minister Nebil Shaat late on Wednesday in Cairo to take up the latest developments in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Cem had earlier held contacts in Israel and later he proceeded to Cairo.

Cem who had met with Israeli Foreign Minister Sholomo Ben Ami and Israeli President Moshe Katsav has given the start for shuttle diplomacy with his contacts with both Israeli and Palestinian officials in Jerusalem and Cairo.

-PROTEST AT AYDIN PRISON
-REPUBLICAN CHIEF PROSECUTOR ADAGUL:
-''THREE INMATES WHO ARE CONTINUING THEIR HUNGER
STRIKE, ARE IN GOOD CONDITION FOR THE TIME BEING''
AYDIN- A total of 31 inmates at the Aydin Prison have been continuing their hunger strike for 33 days.

Mustafa Adagul, the Republican Chief Prosecutor in Aydin, told the A.A correspondent, ''those three inmates who refuse to eat or drink anything are in good condition for the time being. I hold talks with them every day. I have expended efforts to convince them to put an end to their protest. But my efforts have not come to a conclusion so far. Doctors and full- equipped ambulance are being kept ready in the prison.''

-COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN IN CUSTOMS
ANKARA - Nevzat Saygilioglu, the Customs Undersecretary, said on Thursday that Gurbulak border gate in Iranian border would be re-constructed, and noted that Esendere and Sarisu border gates will be operated within this period not to interrupt the passages.

Customs organizations of Turkey and Iran signed Mutual Administrative Aid Agreement which foresees cooperation in struggle against organized crimes and drugs.

The signatories of the agreement were Saygilioglu and Mahdi Karbasiyan, the Customs Administration Chairman and the Deputy Economy and Finance Minister of Iran.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Saygilioglu said their contacts with the Iranian delegation were positive.

Saygilioglu pointed out that Gurbulak border gate has great importance in trade with Iran, adding that nearly 45,000 trucks entered from the Gurbulak border gate since the beginning of the year.

The Customs Undersecretary said border trade worth of six million U.S. dollars, exportation worth of 26 million U.S. dollars, and importation worth of 18 million U.S. dollars were realized by the border gate in question.

Saygilioglu said facilities in Gurbulak border gate would be re-constructed, adding that the customs gate would be equipped with devices which will provide on line information flow.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Deputy Minister said bilateral trade and customs relations would be further developed with the agreement they signed.

The guest Deputy Minister called on the procedures in the border gates to be speeded up, noting that this would be beneficial for the two countries.

-DEPUTIES OF FP SUBMIT CENSURE MOTION TO PARLIAMENT AGAINST
GOVERNMENT REGARDING BANKS
ANKARA- The deputies of Virtue Party(FP) Thursday submitted a censure motion to the parliament against the government about the banks whose coffers had been emptied.

Abdullatif Sener, a deputy of FP; Bulent Arinc, and Avni Dogan, the Acting Leaders of FP, and a group of deputies from FP staged a press conference about the censure motion.

Sener said the recent incidents in the banking sector showed that the coffers of the banks had been emptied and that the burden of these banks on Turkish public was 10 billion U.S. dollars.

Noting that a ten percent increase could have been be made in the salaries of the civil servants and the retired people with 10 billion U.S. dollars, Sener claimed the government extorted the money of the Turkish public.

Sener claimed some bureaucrats and politicians protected those who emptied the coffers of the banks, adding that the deputies of FP weren't given any information as this issue was considered as a ''secret'' by the government.

The public had the right to be informed on these issues, Sener said.

''The government continues its irresponsible attitude on the issue. Ecevit, Yilmaz, Bahceli who convened on Wednesday discussed how they could include those responsible for emptying the coffers of the banks in the scope of amnesty,'' claimed Sener.

A total of 69 deputies from FP signed the censure motion.

-CROSS BORDER COOPERATION MEETING STARTS IN EDIRNE
EDIRNE - The meeting for strategies and projects to improve the cross border relations in local and regional administrations of Turkey started in northwestern Edirne province on Thursday.

The meeting is organized by the Turkish Internal Affairs Ministry, the Council of Europe, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Addressing the meeting, Fahri Yucel, the Governor of Edirne, said they continued to implement works for cooperation with Greece and Bulgaria on trade, industry, and press organization relations.

Yucel noted that following their meetings with Evros Governorship of Greece, a Greek university and Trakya University started to make studies on blood diseases.

Cengiz Varnatopu, the Mayor of Edirne, pointed out that they attribute importance to international relations and that they made cooperations with Greek, Bulgarian, and Moldovian municipilaties in trade, sports and culture.

Aygen Becquart, the representative of the Council of Europe said the works for cross border cooperations started two years ago in Turkey, adding that the aim of this meeting was to discuss the projects of the local administrations.

Wulf Schonbohm, the representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation pointed out that organizing such a meeting in Edirne was a right decision as the local administrations knew more about the problems of their public, adding that the central administrations should encourage the local administrations to make cross border cooperation.

-RUSSIAN EXPORT PRODUCTS FAIR OPENED
-YALOVA, MINISTER OF STATE: ''THE NEW DIMENSION OF RELATIONS
BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA CAN BE EXPRESSED BY THE PHRASE
'COOPERATION INSTEAD OF COMPETITION''
ISTANBUL- The Russian Export Products Fair was inaugurated in Istanbul on Thursday with the participation of Yuksel Yalova, the Minister of State, and Ilya Klebanov, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister.

Addressing the inauguration of the Russian Export Products Fair which was opened first time in Turkey, Yalova said Turkey and Russia should further improve their cooperation in trade and economy, adding that this fair would contribute to the cooperation of two countries.

''The recent visit of Russian Prime Minister to Turkey was a turning point in the relations of the two countries. The new dimension of relations between Turkey and Russia can be expressed by the phrase; 'cooperation instead of competition'. We aim at expanding our cooperation with Russia to the other countries in Middle East and Euroasia,'' Yalova said.

Noting that the fair displays the level Russian production and hi-tech sectors have reached, Yalova said the fair proves that both countries can mutually increase joint investments in parallel to the superior peculiarities.

''Our responsibility as governments is to form necessary infrastructure to develop economic cooperation by means of the private sector. Within this framework, we appreciate the activities of the Turkish-Russian Business Council to improve our economic relations.''

Ilya Klebanov, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister said the activities such as the 8th joint meeting of the Turkish Russian Business Council which was held in Istanbul on Wednesday, and the Russian Export Products Fair would further develop the relations.

Klebanov added 200 Russian companies were participating in the fair.

-SPEECH BY NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ROBERTSON IN ISTANBUL
ISTANBUL - Lord George Robertson, the NATO Secretary General, said on Thursday that Turkey was one of the major player of the European security equation, adding that it would continue this role.

Robertson addressed the conference on ''European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI)'' that is organized by Turkey's Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) in Istanbul.

Speaking at the conference Robertson said they security policy, by contrast, is a long-term affair, and oftern the results of our decisions reveal themselves only months or years later. He said, ''Building a European Security and Defense Identity is a case in point. It is a process that takes many years to develop. So we have to make sure the decisions we take are the right ones. Ankd, as I will argue here today, we are making the right decisions.''

''However,'' he noted, ''some in Turkey fear that the current evolution of ESDI might marginalise your country. I understand even if I don't share the cause of your concerns.''

''Turkey is a member of NATO but not yet of the EU. Until now, through its NATO membership, Turkey, together with all other Allies, was at the center of European security management.

Now, as the EU aspires to become a true security actor in its own right, NATO will no longer be the only institution managing security in Europe. These recent developments suggest to some people that Turkey is suffering a 'minus' in its security status- and a net loss in its influence on the evolution of European security.

These are serious concerns and they are being taken seriously. That is all the more so as Turkey shares its status with the other five non-EU European Allies- the Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Poland- and to a different extend, also with Canada.

NATO and the EU both emerged from the specific circumstances of post-war Europe. But despite their similar geographic origins, and despite a certain overlap in their memberships, these two institutions could hardly have been more different regarding their goals, their legal frameworks, their tasks, their working methods, and indeed their institutionsl 'philosophies.'

NATO was an Alliance of sovereign states, cooperating exclusively on security matters. The European Union process, by contrast, acquired an agenda that covered almost everything but security.

During the Cold war, these two institutions complemented each other perfectly, NATO provided security for its members, and thus also provided an umbrella for European development. And the European Union could focus on more compromising areas than security.

In NATO, the military capabilities of the Allies were distributed unevenly. In the EU, it was the lack of a security dimension. In a similar vein, the Europeans would ritually chafe under what they perceived as U.S. dominance.

Today, however, the Cold War and the Soviet Union are gone. There is no longer an existential threat that helps hide institutional deficiencies. On the contrary, the post-Cold War has exposed these deficiencies-and rather mercilessly.

The writing was on the wall for everyone to read: not every regional conflict would necessarily engage the strategic interests of the United States the same way as that of the Europeans. So the second lesson was that from now on we had to contemplate scenerios where the United States would not want to be in the lead. In such a case, then, the Europeans should better be able to provide some leadership themselves.

As a global power, the US had always invested in power projection capabilities. In the Kosovo campaign, these capabilities came in very handy. European armed forces, by contrast, are still largely geared to the specific scenarios of the Cold War. They would have made a significant contribution to our collective defense in case of an attack from the East. But, to put it bluntly, in an air campaign against a small-scale Balkan dictator no tank formations are required. Europeans had a lot of capabilities they did not need, and too few of the capabilities they need.

NATO is Europe's dominant security institution. Bosnia and Kosovo have made that utterly clear. NATO remains absolutely viatal as the cornerstone of European security-in peacekeeping, in defence diplomacy, as a framework for cooperation and if necessary, for collective defense. During its half century of existence, it has accumultated a high and unprecendented level of expertise.

Finally, and very importantly, to more than just Turkey is-the question of the participation of non-EU, Allies. Why does NATO put so much emphasis on this question? I think the case of Turkey demonstrates quite convincingly why. There is both a political and a military imperative why non-EU NATO Allies such as turkey simply must be part of the game.

First, the political point. it is a very simple and straightforward point: we all need Turkey. its proximity to the Balkans, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean puts Turkey at the centre of vial strategic area. Indeed, I would argue tat as a secular democracy and a staunch NATO Ally, Turkey has never had a greater opportunity to play a role as an agent of positive change. All Allies, North American or European, NATO or EU, appreciate that.

Any attempt to deprive Turkey of this unique role, any misguided attempt to marginalise her, would be self-defeating especially if a crisis affects Turkey's security or Turkey's vital interests. If this was attempted, the West would act against its own vital strategic interests. That is why Turkey must remain a crucial part of of the European security equation.

The second point is a military one. Even a quick glance at a list of conceivable scanerios for EU-led crisis management operations drives the conclusion that virtually all these scenerios involve Turkey, in one way or another.

European members of NATO will have an authomatic right to participate in EU operations where NATO assests are used. They can also be invited to participate in operations where there is no recourse to NATO assests.

Let me conclude: A strong European role in crisis management is inevitable. It is a logical step in the process of European construction. But is is also of crucial importance for the Alliance itself.

In any case, Turkey need to be involved- because NATO assets are required, because Turkish contributions are needed, or because the operation takes place in a region close to Turkey. In other words, the military realities of crisis management will ensure that Turkey will play a role commensurate with its weight as a major security actor.

In the light of these political and military reasons it becomes clear why we, in our dealings with the EU, have been playing the role of advocate for the non-EU Allies on the participation issue. I am confident that the EU is now proposing arragements with the non-EU European Allies, including Turkey , that will meet their security interests.

Let met outline briefly and bluntly the 'success' tally of the 6 non-EU NATO nations. I believe it is formidable:

In peace time first, permanent and regular consultation is assured through meetings at all levels from Minister to experts and the 6 non-EU European Allies can themselves propose meetings and agendas.

Turkey has every reason to trust itself, It has no reason at all to fear ESDI. ESDP or any other acronyms to define Eurpoe's defense role. Turkey was, is and will remain a major player in the European security equation. and So it should.''

-TURKEY AND UKRAINE SIGN NINE COOPERATION DEALS
ANKARA - Turkey and Ukraine on Thursday signed nine agreements to boost cooperation in defense, communications and trade.

The agreements on cooperation for early warning system against nuclear accidents, cooperation on judicial issues, cooperation between the justice ministries, exchange of documents and information on military and technology fields, cooperation between the health ministries, coperation on postal services and communication, cooperation between the Anadolu Agency and Ukraine State News Agency, and cooperation for urgent aid and communication, and a joint statement were signed.

Stating that he held very positive and fruitful talks with his Ukranian counterpart Leonid Kuchma, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said after the signing ceremony that the agreements would help establish stronger and broader ties between the countries.

Sezer added that the trade volume between the two countries should be increased to 2 billion U.S. dollars in the shortest possible time.

Stating that both countries want to develop cooperation on defense field with concrete projects, Sezer said both countries are ready to benefit from existing possibilities of cooperation on energy.

Sezer said that Crimean Tatars consist one of the most important historical ties of friendship between Turkey and Ukraine, and added they appreciated Ukraine's efforts to eliminate the injustice the Crimean Tatars have been exposed and to help them come back to their homelands. Sezer said Turkey will continue to economically contribute this process at bilateral and international level.

Sezer said Kuchma invited him to Ukraine in 2001, and he accepted the invitation.

Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, said in his part that there is no political problem between Turkey and Ukraine.

Kuchma said there is a significant potential of cooperation between the two countries.

-UKRANIAN PRESIDENT KUCHMA SPEAKS AT THE PARLIAMENT
ANKARA- Leonid Kuchma, the Ukranian President, said on Thursday that Turkish Republic was a reliable partner for his country in the international platform.

Kuchma, currently officially in Ankara, met with Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi.

Following his meeting with Izgi, Kuchma addressed the Parliamentary General Assembly.

Speaking to the parliamentarians, Kuchma said he attributed special importance to Turkish parliament. Recalling that the meeting of the Parliament in 1920 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was the turning point of the War of Independence, Kuchma said historians said history of the modern Turkish state started at this point.

Ukranian President said positive outcomes of the reformist policies could be seen today, adding that the Turkish Parliament could be proud of its contributions which it made to the establishment of Turkey which is very strong due to democratic, economic and political means.

Pointing out that Turkey was a reliable partner for Ukraine in international platform, Kuchma said mutual confidence and understanding, an intense political dialogue, and economic cooperation provided them to be optimistic about future.

Kuchma mentioned the momentum gained since 1991 and the historical course of Turkish-Ukranian relations, and appreciated Turkey's initiatives pertaining to formations on regional peace and cooperation.

Kuchma said, ''nevertheless, mutual windows of the house which our peoples dwell don't watch the Black Sea only. Today, Ukraine and Turkey are inseparable parts of Europe.''

He said the European Union (EU) had taken two historic decisions for the two countries last year in December, noting that Turkey was granted candidacy status to the EU, even delayed, and secondly the strategy which the EU would implement regarded with Ukraine was assessed.

Kuchma said they knew that Turkey is in a more progressed stage than Ukraine on the way to integration with Europe, and expressed readiness to benefit from Turkey's experiences to approach to the EU. Kuchma also said they applauded Turkey's success.

Recalling that Turkey gave equal rights to the women at a time when there were women only in the parliaments of 17 countries of the world, Kuchma said entering of Ukraine and Turkey to the EU would be a stimulating power both for Europe and the EU.

The Ukranian President pointed out that new horizons would be opened in front of the United Europe in this case, stressing that peace and prosperity region would be more wides. Kuchma said the would have positive contributions to many neighboring countries, mainly the Caucasus and the Middle East which have not reached stability and peace yet.

Kuchma said Turkey and his country have no alternatives, but the way to the EU, adding that he hoped the policial circles of the EU member countries would understand this.

Kuchma said it was very important for Turkey and Ukraine to improve their economic cooperation in their regions, adding that after seeing the success of Turkey, he believed that reforms in Ukraine would be successful.

Ukranian President expressed hope that friendship between Turkey and his country would be further strengthened, and that all the projects would be realized.

-COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS
ANKARA - The meeting of the Council of Ministers who convened on Thursday, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, ended.

Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State said the situation of the Eti Holding, efficient production of boron element and aluminium, and the problems of northern Zonguldak province were discussed in the meeting.

''After the discussions, the Council of Ministers authorized me to prepare the necessary framework for the efficient production of the

boron element,'' said Gurel.

''One of the main operation fields of the Eti Holding is aluminium production. I presented information on the problems of aluminium production which occurred due to the wrong policies applied in the past. The Council of Ministers decided to make a new investment in Seydisehir and to implement works to increase the production, and to decrease the cost of the production,'' Gurel continued.

Noting that he was authorized to prepare an investment plan on this issue, Gurel said they would present the detailed work on the issue to the Council of Ministers.

The problems of the northern Zonguldak province were also discussed in the meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Gurel reminded the journalists that he and Hasan Gemici, the Minister of State, were previously authorized to determine the problems of Zonguldak and to form the proposals on the solutions of these problems.

Gurel said they presented their reports on the issue to the Council of Ministers.

Noting that the problems of Zonguldak province arose as the private sector didn't develop in the region, and as there was insufficient transportation infrastructure, Gurel said they proposed to improve the transportation infrastructure, open new production fields, give start to the construction of the dam projects, construct new thermic power stations in Armutcuk, Amasra, Kilyos harbour zone, and solve the problems stemming from property.

Gurel said the Council of Minister authorized the concerned ministers to implement works on these issues, adding that Hasan Gemici would coordinate the works on the issue.

Replying the questions of the journalists, Gurel said the works of the commission which was formed by the ministers about the problems of the sectors would be presented to the Council of the Ministers and would be finalized in the coming days.

Gurel said the amnesty issue wasn't on the agenda of the meeting, adding that the amnesty would be brought to the agenda of the government after the concerned ministers completed their preparations.

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