Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-09-17

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

17 SEPTEMBER 2001Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TREASURY TO REPAY 64.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN EXTERNAL DEBT

[03] DERVIS SAYS THEY CAN PARTLY EXTEND USD 5 BILLION REPAYMENT TO IMF

[04] DERVIS SAYS TURKEY SHOULD SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

[05] ECEVIT AND AZNAR HOLD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (1)

[06] JP MORGAN RECOMMENDS INVESTMENT IN TURKISH AND EGYPTIAN DEBENTURE BONDS

[07] IMF DELEGATION CONTINUES WORKING ON DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT

[08] ECEVIT AND AZNAR HOLD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (2)

[09] PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS TERRORIST ATTACKS IN U.S. REVEALED UGLY FACE AND BRUTALITY OF TERRORISM ONCE AGAIN

[10] MUSLIM CLERGYMEN TO SAY PRAYERS FOR TERRORISM VICTIMS IN U.S.

[11] 45TH EUROPEAN QUALITY CONGRESS TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT EXPRESSES HIS CONCERNS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit expressed his concerns about psychological pressure on Muslims and attacks on mosques. He said, ''I hope that the God would protect us from a nuclear war. It would be a calamity for the humanity. I do not think that anyone plans a nuclear war.''

POWELL THANKS CEM
United States Secretary of State Colin Powell called Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the phone, and thanked him for Turkey's support to his country following last week's terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York and on Pentagon building in Washington D.C. During the conversation, Cem stressed that an attitude accusing the whole Islam countries could drag the world into a more dangerous position.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NY TIMES EULOGIZES ISTANBUL
The New York Times revealed that it did not take into consideration the nationalist reaction against Muslim countries following last week's terrorist attacks in the United States. In a seven-page article, the New York Times introduced Istanbul to its readers. It said, ''no one knows just how many people live in Istanbul, since migrants arrive daily, but everyone agrees that the figure must be at least 12 million. It dwarfs most Western European cities, and is probably older than any of them. At its back lie the lowlands of Thrace, on which Istanbul closes its gates. Instead it looks east to the hills and mountains of Asia, whose snows gleam invitingly on winter days.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

FIRST AIRCRAFT COMES FROM U.S.
The first Turkish airplane which took off from the U.S. after the terrorist attacks arrived in Turkey. Passengers who were seen excited said that New York had become a city of ghosts. Bulent Yildiz, a Turkich citizen who owns an oil station in the U.S., said that reactions against the Turkish people had increased after the terrorist attacks.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

THANKS TO TURKEY
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell called Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the phone, thanking Turkey for sharing American nation's pains and grief and extending support to fight against terrorism.

NUCLEAR WAR FEAR
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''God spare the whole world from a nuclear war, since a nuclear war will be a catastrophe for humanity. The state can't accept the risk of such adventures.'' The Prime Minister said the United States had not made a request for a new airbase except Incirlik.

ZAMAN (RIGHT)

WARNING: AFGHANS ARE INNOCENTS, TOO
A survey made in Afghanistan revealed that most of the people of Afghanistan are even unaware of terrorist attacks in the United States. Some countries who saw this reality follow U.S.'s preparations for war with great concern. A group of Chinese people who have such a concern asked the U.S. not to hit innocent people.

[02] TREASURY TO REPAY 64.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN EXTERNAL DEBT

Treasury has repaid a total of 6 billion 713.9 million U.S. dollars in external debt since the beginning of 2001.

Treasury repaid 255.6 million U.S. dollars in external debt last week.

Treasury repaid 503.9 million U.S. dollars in January; 804.9 million U.S. dollars in February; 631.2 million U.S. dollars in March; 1 billion 168.6 million U.S. dollars in April; 634.8 million U.S. dollars in May; 1 billion 778 million U.S. dollars in June; 450 million U.S. dollars in July; 381 million U.S. dollars in August in external debt; and 361.5 million U.S. dollars in the first two weeks of September.

[03] DERVIS SAYS THEY CAN PARTLY EXTEND USD 5 BILLION REPAYMENT TO IMF

Dervis came together with reporters at breakfast and assessed what could happen in the global and Turkey's economy following the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Noting that there had not been any deviation from the main lines of the economic program and they had not demanded a supplementary source from the IMF excluding the program, Dervis said that at first stage, tourism and exports could be affected by the terrorist attacks in the U.S., and that the Eurobond issuance which was planned to be carried out this month could be postponed.

Dervis stressed that as the economy management, they had taken every preparation against possible developments and that figures for 2002 would become clear within two weeks.

Emphasizing that Turkey which had suffered from terrorism should extend unconditional support to international fight against terrorism following the attacks in the U.S., Dervis said that Turkey should actively participate in negotiations on sharing and management of the losses that would occur.

(To be continued)

[04] DERVIS SAYS TURKEY SHOULD SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

''Turkey's importance has increased in this atmosphere. As a member of NATO and as a country which suffered much from terrorism, Turkey should extend support to international fight against terrorism unconditionally,'' he said.

Dervis came together with reporters at breakfast and assessed what could happen in the global and Turkey's economy following the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Speaking at the meeting, Dervis said, ''we will discuss impacts of the new crisis with other NATO allies. The new common cost and its joint finance should become clear at the end of these meetings.''

When asked whether or not possible development would bring forth new opportunities to Turkey, Dervis said, ''it is too early to say something at this point. But within framework of the developments, friendly countries will realize Turkey's importance in a better way. If Turkey's importance is well-realized, its integration process with the European Union (EU) can accelerate.''

Assessing the economic program under the light of recent developments, Dervis said, ''interest rates, inflation rates and foreign currency rates have begun to reach a certain stability since the second half of August. Later, terrorist attacks were staged in the United States. In an atmosphere where we have begun to overcome the problem of confidence, foreign investment has also begun to flow to Turkey. But the world has entered into a new process in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States. We have been trying to assess all possible impacts of this new process.''

Dervis told reporters that the economic program would continue.

He noted that they could request partly extension of 5 billion U.S. dollars of repayment which would be made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2002.

Dervis added, ''recent developments should not negatively affect the process in Turkey for extension of freedoms and democratization.''

[05] ECEVIT AND AZNAR HOLD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (1)

Prime Minister Ecevit held a joint press conference together with Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of Spain who is currently in Turkey on a working visit.

Speaking at the press conference, Prime Minister Ecevit said that they had discussed the issue of terrorism during their meeting earlier in the day, and prepared a joint declaration between Turkey and Spain.

''Both Turkey and Spain have been suffering from terrorism for long years. Therefore, experiences of Turkey and Spain have gained importance in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks on twin towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York and on the Pentagon building in Washington D.C, '' he said.

Ecevit told reporters, ''we have taken up the issue in detail and have prepared a joint declaration. We will disclose this declaration to you. I am pleased to see that we have a full consensus of opinion about all dimensions of our bilateral relations.''

''As you know, we have some difficulties on the issue of European security and defense program. At the meeting, we explained our difficulties to Mr. Aznar. We also discussed the Cyprus question at the meeting, and reviewed our economic and commercial relations,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Aznar said that the joint declaration would unveil their solidarity with both American people and the U.S. administration.

Aznar emphasized that terrorism could not be justified whatever its reason was.

(To be continued)

[06] JP MORGAN RECOMMENDS INVESTMENT IN TURKISH AND EGYPTIAN DEBENTURE BONDS

JP Morgan also recommended investors to keep some cash in hand.

Meanwhile, JP Morgan downgraded Turkey's underweight position from 2.6 percent to 1.5 percent.

It said that it underlined Turkey's gepolitical importance as it sheltered American bases as a NATO ally.

[07] IMF DELEGATION CONTINUES WORKING ON DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT

The delegation who will work at the Treasury Undersecretariat building on Monday is focusing on the 2002 year budget and macro economic targets.

The IMF delegation came to Turkey on September 7 within scope of the 10th review works.

[08] ECEVIT AND AZNAR HOLD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (2)

Holding a joint press conference at the Ciragan Place in Istanbul together with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Aznar said that their meeting had focused mainly on three points.

Noting that the joint statement which Ecevit and he had prepared together was one of those points, Aznar said, ''this statement will put forward our solidarity both with the American nation and the U.S. state. We believe that a terrorist act wherever it takes place can never be justified. About this matter, we have commitments regarded with the NATO Agreement, of course. Besides, we call on all countries to fulfil their duties and responsibilities.''

''Of course, we want to fulfil the requirements of democracy and we want to put forward all of its rules. We have mentioned our opinion with very clear expressions. We were very pleased that Mr. Ecevit agrees with us,'' he said.

Noting that they had explained to Ecevit Spain's priorities during its Term Presidency process as of 2002, Aznar said that they wanted the Europe process to gain a meaning on global scale.

Stressing that they wanted more Europe in world economy and security, Aznar said, 'we will add momentum to European Union enlargement, of course. Consequently, we attribute special importance to developments about Turkey.''

Emphasizing that they expected the structural reforms that Turkey was making would accelerate process of integration to Europe both in political and economic fields, Aznar said, ''relations between Turkey and Spain are at a very good level. At the meeting, we have also discussed and reviewed fields of new cooperation. I learned that the agreement on prevention of double taxation between Turkey and Spain had reached final point.''

Noting that the Cervantes Institute that would be opened after the meeting was very important for Spain, Jose Maria Aznar said, ''opening this institute together with Mr. Ecevit is a source of great pleasure. So I can say that both sides are fulfilling their responsibilities regarding bilateral relations.''

Aznar thanked the Turkish government and Prime Minister Ecevit for their hospitality.

[09] PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS TERRORIST ATTACKS IN U.S. REVEALED UGLY FACE AND BRUTALITY OF TERRORISM ONCE AGAIN

Speaking at a ceremony at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara to mark the beginning of 2001-2002 education year, President Sezer said, ''as an inevitable consequence of changes in the last century, the world has entered a new construction process. The world has been preparing itself for the future by removing uncertainties. Meanwhile, new negativities have been emerging.''

''Important developments aiming at destroying the atmosphere of peace and optimism which has been dominant in the world for a long time, occurred recently. Last week's terrorist attacks in the United States revealed the ugly face and brutality of terrorism once again. The most serious terrorist act of the history unveiled the fact that all countries should develop a new and joint understanding in fight against terrorism. Terrorism is a crime against humanity whatever its reasons are,'' he said.

Denouncing terrorism as one of the most serious threats in today's world, President Sezer called on international community to condemn and exclude terrorism and those who were involved in terrorism.

''During the course of history, terrorist acts which tried to reach their targets by committing murder and staging acts of violence, failed. Terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 claiming many lives, created a profound sorrow in Turkey which suffered much from terrorism in the past. We are condemning these attacks and sharing the grief and pain of our friend and ally United States. We will stand by the United States during these difficult days,'' he emphasized.

Stressing that Turkey had always objected to terrorism, President Sezer noted, ''Turkey has been defending from the very beginning that countries could not fight against terrorism on their own. An influential international cooperation is necessary to eradicate terrorism. International conventions and decisions to prevent financial support to terrorist groups and to bring terrorists to justice should be fully implemented. We believe that we should take up calmly these inhuman acts of violence, fight against terrorism in a determined way. These painful attacks should not turn into a dispute among civilizations. Today's civilization is formed by universal values. All faiths and different ethnic and national values contribute to this modern civilization. Therefore, it is not possible to base the today's civilization on a certain faith and living stardard. On the other hand, terrorism does not have any race, faith or origin.''

''Instead of bringing a discrimination into forefront, we should develop a new and comprehensive joint understanding against terrorism. Turkey which suffered much from terrorism for more than 15 years, will have an important position in international cooperation against terrorism. Turkey will not refrain from taking place in joint efforts of friendly and allied countries to this end,'' he added.

[10] MUSLIM CLERGYMEN TO SAY PRAYERS FOR TERRORISM VICTIMS IN U.S.

Termal Mayor Sirri Acar said at a press conference that the attack was not only against the Christian world but it targeted all humanity. ''Peace is the essence of all religions. We condemn terrorism,'' Acar said.

Acar said that clergymen will say prayers at Mehmet Rasim Mutlu Center for those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack. The date has not yet been definite and it will be announced later.

[11] 45TH EUROPEAN QUALITY CONGRESS TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

The Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) will host the congress to be held under the auspices of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The congress will be one of the most important international organizations hosted by Turkey.

A number of experts from the United States to Iran, from Japan to Israel and from Britain to Singapore, will attend the congress.

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