 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Sunday, 22 December 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-09-30Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 Sunday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on September 30, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)CONNECTION REVEALED BETWEEN KAPLAN AND BIN LADENGerman Chief Prosecutor's Office stated that there was connection between Metin Kaplan and Osama bin Laden. Germany that has been providing shelter for years to the fundamentalist terrorists targeting secular Republic of Turkey, realized the fact at last. Chief Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe released an official statement saying that Kaplan sent high-level delegations to Afghanistan to visit bin Laden in 1996 and in 1997. According to an agreement reached between Kaplan and bin Laden, Kaplan's militants received training in Laden's terrorist camps in Afghanistan. 227 KG OF HEROIN IMPOUNDED IN VAN ORAL: ''THERE IS NO NEED TO BE PESSIMISTIC'' MILLIYET (LIBERAL)DERVIS LEAVES FOR UNITED STATESState Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy left for the United States for finalization of 10th review with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He is expected to meet U.S. Secretary of Treasury O'Neill on Monday. Dervis will come together with IMF Managing Director Koehler on Tuesday, and with World Bank President Wolfensohn on Wednesday. Dervis' contacts will focus on Turkey's budget for the year 2002. SEZER CONTINUES HIS INITIATIVES SABAH (LIBERAL)UNITED STATES WAKES UPThe United States that lost 7 thousand of its citizens in the terrorist attacks on September 11, declared Sasunyan, a militant of Armenian terrorist organization ASALA, as a criminal of terrorism. Sasunyan who killed Kemal Arikan, then Turkish Consul General in Los Angeles, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1982. The Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that the killing could not be included in the crime of terrorism. Right this time, an unexpected development occurred, and the United States was hit by a series of terrorist attacks. The prosecutor has taken action to include assasination of Arikan in the scope of terrorism. CEM DUE TO GERMANY CUMHURIYET (LEFT)CEM ASKED TO MAKE PROPOSALSForeign Minister Ismail Cem informed U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on Turkey's position toward Afghanistan as a result of special ties and humanitarian aid efforts. Annan asked Cem to convey him his opinions and proposals about Afghanistan problem in a written statement and Cem welcomed this request. It was stated that situation after De Soto's visit to Cyprus had been assessed and answer to the question ''what can be done?'' had been sought at the meeting between Cem and Annan. DEFENSE WITH LETTER ''VOICE of TURKEY'' FOR AFGHAN PEOPLE ''Voice of Turkey'' is on air every day in Uzbek and Kyrgyz languages for Afghan people. Its broadcast was supervised by National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Foreign Ministry, Prime Ministry and National Security Council (NSC) Secretariat General. Its broadcasts point to war, and the most important this is its anti-Taleban broadcasts. Among the news which Afghan people can't hear, there are broadcasts which stress terrorist identity of Osama bin Laden. They are not completely pro-American broadcasts and their style is cautious and attentive, which sets up connection between the region and the world. RADIKAL (LEFT)ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION RESULTS IN DETENTION OF NEARLY 50 PEOPLESecurity forces detained nearly 50 people who attempted to hold an anti-war demonstration in Bakirkoy district of Istanbul. A group of people who are members of some non-governmental organiezations, gathered in Ozgurluk Square to hold an anti-war demonstration. They chanted slogans saying, ''we do not want war'', ''damn American imperialism''. Security forces warned demonstrators to disperse immediately. After demonstrators did not obey security forces' warnings, nearly 50 of them were detained. GEOSTRATEGIC CONCERNS CEM IN UNITED STATES TURKIYE (RIGHT)TALEBAN POSES THREAT ALSO FOR TURKEYPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that administration in Afghanistan was outworn and even if Laden escaped, the regime should absolutely be changed. ''If our relations with Central Asia are taken into consideration, Taleban regime constitutes a very serious threat for Turkey, whole world and especially Central Asia. If anti-Taleban groups reached an agreement, Taleban can be overthrown,'' Ecevit said and stated, ''the United States and some countries which were not aware of terrorism, saw the real face of terrorism in the latest incidents. However, the United States should carry out its operation against Afghanistan without causing Afghan people to suffer pains.'' CEM'S INTENSE CONTACTS IN U.S. SEZER'S PHONE DIPLOMACY AGAINST TERROR INTENSE MEASURES AT STRAITS ARMENIAN MURDERER TO BE TRIED AGAIN TREASURE CLAIM INSPIRES HOPE ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)TERROR HITS ALSO ''VISA''The terrorist attacks in the United States mostly hit the young people who were planning to receive education abroad. Red stamp started to be put on passports without observation of more than 30 documents prepared by those who were planning to get visa to leave for the United States, Canada and Britan for education. FBI TAKES ISLAMIC CULTURE LESSON -FOREIGN MINISTER CEM VISITS WRECKAGE OF TWIN TOWERS OF WTC Cem laid a bunch of flowers on the wreckage. He held talks with relatives of missing people, and conveyed them Turkish people's and government's support and condolences. After visiting the wreckage, Cem met New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in a center set up to coordinate rescue works. At the meeting, Cem expressed his profound sorrow over loss of many lives in the attacks. Speaking at the meeting, Cem said, ''Turkish people have been extending full support to American people in their difficult days. We share the grief and pain of the American people. Turkish and American peoples will fight against terrorism together. Meanwhile, Giuliani thanked Turkish people and government for their support. Faruk Logoglu, the Turkish Ambassador to the United States; Umit Pamir, the Turkish Permament Representative to the United Nations; Mehmet N. Ezen, the Turkish Consul General in New York; and Police Chief Bernard Kerik of New York; were also in attendance at the meeting. -L.A PROSECUTORS TO RETRY ARMENIAN KILLER Sassounian had applied to the federal court to be commuted and granted right of conditional release. Federal court, in an earlier hearing, ruled not to change life imprisonment he was sentenced on charges of murder but to review the ''special circumstance'' portion of the case. Sources said a jail informant had testified that Sassounian had told him he had killed 54-year-old old diplomat Arikan as revenge for the Turkish killings of Armenians long years ago. Speaking about the murder, Los Angeles prosecutor Steve Cooley said that terrorist act of a member of an ethnic group against a member of another ethnic group was not acceptable in a free society. Meanwhile, Sassounian's lawyer Mark Geragos claimed that retrial of his client would not be objective. Sassounian was 19 years old when he killed Arikan because of his nationality in 1982. -FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS EU BESTOWED A SOLUTION TO GREEK CYPRIOTS Responding to questions of journalists during his visit to New York, the United States, Cem said, ''as you know, I held a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. I told him that although he had been expending efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus question, the EU bestowed the Greek Cypriot side the solution they longed for. I said that I was not optimistic about the situation.'' ''Greek Cypriot side has not been seeking a solution to the Cyprus question any longer, because the EU has bestowed them the solution they longed for. Now, they are waiting for the EU membership. When they become a full member of the EU, they will be more strengthened. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkey is the side that seeks a solution,'' he said. Noting that President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC did not attend the proximity talks which was scheduled to be held in New York on September 12, because he could not get the impression of a new approach, Cem recalled that United Nations Secretary General Annan's Special Envoy Alvaro De Soto had paid a visit to Ankara a few months ago. Cem said that De Soto told Turkish officials that they aimed at bringing the sides together once again. He added, ''a new factor, a new atmosphere and new matters are required to resume the proximity talks.'' -STATE MINISTER DERVIS ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON Dervis did not speak to press when he arrived in Washington D.C. State Minister Dervis will meet IMF Europe One Director Michael Deppler the same day. On Monday, Dervis will meet U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neil and IMF First Deputy Managing Director Anne Krueger and later he will hold a news conference in Washington D.C. On Tuesday, Dervis will visit IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler and meet World Bank Vice President for Europe Johannes Linn. On Wednesday, Dervis will attend a breakfast that will be hosted by the Turkish-American Business Council. Later, Dervis will meet World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn and hold another press conference. Dervis is expected to return to Turkey at the weekend. Following the contacts of Dervis and accompanying delegation, supplementary letter of intent will be presented to the IMF. IMF Executive Directors Board is expected to approve 3 billion U.S. dollars of loan tranche that will be extended to Turkey in mid-October under normal conditions. -STATE MINISTER GUREL MEETS ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER GEONA Gurel said that Geona and he had seen at the meeting that there was great potential for development of bilateral relations in the shortest time frame. The Romanian Foreign Minister said that important progress was recorded in development of friendship and cooperation in several fields. Gurel who will meet with representatives of several Turkish associations and businessmen in Romania will proceed from Bucharest to Constanta. Prior to his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport for Romaina, Gurel had said that they would take up problems of Turkish citizens living in Romania whose number was estimated to be 15 thousand. State Minister Gurel is expected to return to Turkey on October 1. -A TOTAL OF 3,117 PEOPLE SEEK ASYLUM IN TURKEY United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) Office in Turkey said on Sunday that a total of 3,117 people sought asylum in Turkey between January 1 and August 31, 2001. A total of 2,145 of these people are Iranians, 690 of them Iraqis, 127 of them Afghans, and 155 are from other countries. The number of people sought asylum in Turkey was 6,838 in 1998, 6,606 in 1999 and 5,777 in 2000. -JUSTICE MINISTER TURK RETURNS TO TURKEY Responding to questions of journalists at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport after his arrival, Turk said that the meeting had focused on fight against human smuggling and terrorism. Cem said, ''the meeting proved that there was a full political will among member and candidate countries on the issue of prevention of human smuggling.'' Underlining importance of international cooperation in fight against terrorism, Turk told reporters, ''the EU has prepared some frame draft resolutions in order to provide unity in legal arrangements about these issues. One of these draft resolutions is about prevention of human smuggling. Another draft resolution envisages to release 'European arrest warrant' instead of extradition of criminals with the aim of accelerating judicial cooperation among the countries. During the EU Council of Ministers' meeting to be held between December 6 and 7, 2001, these draft resolutions will be given their final shape. However, these draft resolutions were prepared as a matter among member countries to the EU. As a candidate country, Turkey stressed that cooperation with candidate countries was necessary to achieve success in fight against human smuggling and terrorism. Fight against both human smuggling and terrorism has gained a cross-border dimension in the 21st century. A country cannot fight against these crimes alone.'' Noting that United Nations Convention Against Cross-Border Organized Crimes signed in Palermo last year, should be put into force in the shortest period of time, Turk said that they would submit a draft law to the parliament for approval of the convention. Recalling that a final statement was released at the end of the meeting, Turk said, ''the final statement stressed once again that an atmosphere of freedom, security and justice should be formed within borders of the EU. The statement also underlined importance of cooperation among member and candidate countries to the EU. Participating countries have reached a full consensus of opinion on 12 measures to prevent human smuggling.'' Recalling that he had held bilateral contacts with Belgian justice and interior ministers, Turk said that the meetings had focused on some judicial problems between Turkey and Belgium. Turk said that he had informed Belgian justice and interior ministers on activities of some terrorist organizations targeting Turkey both abroad and in Belgium. Turk added, ''I also met European Commissioner Guenter Verheugen for enlargement. I informed him on works in Turkey aiming at making reforms in law and in jurisdiction.'' -MORE THAN 40 TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS TARGET TURKEY Sources told the A.A correspondent on Sunday that more than 40 terrorist organizations had been carrying out activities against Turkey. Names of these terrorist organizations are as follows: 1- PKK, 3- Kurdistan United People's Party, 4- Kurdistan Revolution Party, 5- Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Party, 6- Socialist Movement of Kurdistan, 7- Kurdistan Socialist Party Organization, 8- Turkey Socialist Party of Kurdistan, 9- Northern Kurdistan Democratic Party, 10- Kurdistan Islamic Party, 11- National Liberators of Kurdistan, 12- Kurdistan National Freedom Party, 13- Kurdistan Proletarian's Union, 14- Turkey Democratic Party of Kurdistan, 15- PKK-Vejin Organization, 16- Bethnahrin Patriotic Revolution Organization, 17- Bethnahrin Freedom Party, 18- Islamic Great Eastern Raiders Front (IBDA/C) 19- Hezbollah, 20- Hizb-ut Tahrir, 21- Vasat, 22- Selam (Tevhid) Group, 23- Anatolia Federate Islamic State, 24- Islamic Movement Organization, 25- United Islamic Nations States' Organization, 26- Malatya Group, 27- Incline Group, 28- Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKC-C), 29- Turkish Communist Party Marxist-Leninist Organization (TKP/ML), 30- Revolutionary Path (DEV-YOL), 31- Turkish Revolution Party (TDP), 32- Turkish Communist Labour Party (TKEP), 33- Turkish Revolutionary Communists' Union (TIKB), 34- Turkey People's Liberation Party, 35- Turkish Communist Labour Party/Leninist Group, 36- Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (MLKP), 37- Turkish Workers and Peasant Liberation Army (TIKKO), 38- Asuristan Liberation Army, 39- Mesopotamian Liberation Army, 40- ASALA, -ALMOST 2 MILLION WORKERS SENT ABROAD IN 39 YEARS According to the Is-Kur statistics, number of workers sent abroad since 1961 is as follows: Year Number of Workers ---- ----------------- Name of Country Number of Workers --------------- ----------------- Saudi Arabia 463,968 Libya 229,228 France 56,353 Iraq 42,211 Austria 41,079 Netherlands 25,434 Belgium 16,210 Australia 12,392 Switzerland 10,756 Kuwait 3,091 Yemen 1,599 Jordan 1,469 Other 243,953 -FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS According to the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data, while shrinkage in the economy continued in the first seven months of the year, exports rose 9.2 percent to 17 billion 571 million 301 thousand U.S. dollars and imports decreased 21.6 percent to 23 billion 642 million 97 thousand U.S. dollars. Exports to Germany rose 3.6 percent and exports to Britain increased 2.9 percent. In the January-July period, total exports to Germany was 3 billion 105 million 857 thousand U.S. dollars, total exports to the United States was 1 billion 964 million 377 thousand U.S. dollars, total exports to Britain was 1 billion 197 million 601 thousand U.S. dollars, total exports to Italy was 1 billion 341 million 545 thousand U.S. dollars, total exports to France was 1 billion 126 million 732 thousand U.S. dollars. Imports from the United States reduced 14.1 percent, imports from Italy decreased 8.9 percent and imports from Russia fell 8.4 percent. Total imports from Germany was 3 billion 27 million 66 thousand U.S. dollars, total imports from Italy was 2 billion 128 million 242 thousand U.S. dollars, total imports from the United States was 1 billion 977 million 656 thousand U.S. dollars, total imports from Russia was 1 billion 885 million 195 thousand U.S. dollars, total imports from France was 1 billion 388 million 53 thousand U.S. dollars, and total imports from Britain was 1 billion 69 million 241 thousand U.S. dollars. -BIDDING DEADLINE FOR ETIBANK TO END ON MONDAY Releasing a statement on September 20, 2001 SDIF extended the bidding deadline until October 1 for Koc Holding that SDIF considered it had satisfactory conditions. Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) decided on June 15, 2001 to merge Interbank, Eskisehir Bankasi (Esbank) and Etibank under structure of Etibank A.S. and finalize merger procedure until July 2. SDIF Board decided on August 8, 2001 to give the start for sale process of Etibank. BRSA had decided on October 27, 2000 to transfer Etibank to SDIF. [02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SPEAKS TO PRIVATE TELEVISION CHANNEL CNN TURK (1)ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that a campaign had been launched to destroy the government.Speaking at a program on the private television channel CNN Turk, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey will play an important role in response to the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11. Turkey has been harmed for years under the pressure of separatist and fundamentalist terrorism. It is of vital importance for Turkey to assume an attitude against terrorism on the international platform.'' Underlining the importance of recent developments, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''the United States was caught unprepared by the calamity on September 11. New methods and new strategies should be developed against terrorism. In order to achieve this target, all countries should set up a perfect dialogue and intelligence cooperation among themselves. Some of the terrorist actions targeting Turkey have been directed from some allied countries in Europe. At the same time, death fasts in prisons have also been directed from abroad.'' Noting that the United States did not experience a war on its territories before, Prime Minister Ecevit said that necessary intelligence measures were not taken. When asked what could be wanted from Turkey in case of an operation except for use of military bases, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''I cannot make a statement at this point. I think that the United States which was caught unprepared by the terrorist attacks, could not make a plan yet. We have not received a request from the United States yet except for arrivals and departures of planes. We will do our utmost to cooperate with the United States in its fight against terrorism. The United States has always supported us in our fight against terrorism. It is also a close friend of us. If terrorism cannot be eradicated in the United States, it cannot be destroyed in other parts of the world.'' Prime Minister Ecevit said that they did not make a preparatory work to allow mass arrivals and departures of the planes at bases. Noting that there was cooperation in the fields of military and security within structure of NATO, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''it will be natural to maintain this cooperation in fight against terrorism. When the parliament starts the new legislative year, we will have to take a decision to this end. What we will do is not important, but the most important thing is what the United States will do.'' Recalling that NATO decided to invoke Article 5 of its Charter, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''I am suspicious about that some of our European friends and allies would assume a certain attitude against terrorism. The United States should clarify its attitude against Afghanistan as soon as possible. Then, we will determine our attitude. If Osama bin Laden manages to flee from Afghanistan, will the United States give up its operation against Afghanistan or not? According to my point of view, operation against Afghanistan should continue carefully. Troops to be sent to the region may not be successful. However, there are some military groups in northern Afghanistan. If disagreements among these groups are removed, they can cooperate with each other. If they had succeeded in getting together, Taliban regime would have not been founded. This regime poses a serious threat for the whole humanity, Islam world, Central Asian countries and for Turkey. If outworn and fundamentalist regime in Afghanistan does not change into a modern regime, above mentioned countries will face new threats.'' Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Afghanistan has been an important country since the very beginning. Turkey was one of the first countries realizing this fact. Afghanistan is a country of different ethnic groups. But the regime in Afghanistan is a shame for the whole humanity. This regime has also been trying to export regime to abroad. Their first target is the Turkish republics in Central Asia.'' When recalled of criticisms against the government, which said that the government remained passive to the recent incidents, Ecevit said, ''on my personal view, it was a great injustice. This government has been encountering a great campaign which wants to destroy it. This campaign was also reflected in this incident. I don't think of another reason. Furthermore, Turkey became the country which adopted a position on the most proper time with concrete proposals, and the United States welcomed this. This is the well-known words of some columnists.'' ''After this incident, the European Union is now obliged to act with common sense more, and we should bring the European Security and Defense Identity issue onto the agenda again. I mean to say that it became clear that ESDI can't be effective without participation of Turkey's decision making mechanisms. So we should take more effective position. I suppose that some European countries will show us more understanding,'' he said. When recalled of that also Iraq started to be shown as one of the targets after the terrorist attacks in the United States, Ecevit said that situation in Afghanistan did not have any connection with the regime in Iraq. Stressing that Turkey had a very special situation and position in regard to security and fight against terrorism in international area, Ecevit said that also the United States became aware of this. ''We will suffer some economic problems. The incident shook also the American economy. Actually, world economies have entered a recession period and Turkey was suffering from it. Our economic problems will increase for some time but I hope that they would not increase more,'' he said. Ecevit said that Turkey's duties in fight against terrorism had not become clear yet but it was normal to demand the things in return if those tasks brought heavy burdens on shoulder of Turkey. ''I suppose that our friends and allies or relevant organizations will consider to fulfil what is necessary if Turkey undertakes serious and burdensome duties, more important, they should do this. However, at this point, we don't face such a possibility as uncertainty continues. We can't digest to bring the matter of money forefront in such a troublesome period, '' the Prime Minister said. -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SPEAKS TO PRIVATE TELEVISION CHANNEL CNN TURK (2) Prime Minister Ecevit attended a program on the private television channel CNN Turk. When asked, ''some circles claim that not only Osama bin Laden, but many other terrorist organizations have been carrying out their finance affairs in the Greek Cypriot side. Can this fact become a trump to be played by Turkey in its policy towards Cyprus?'' Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we thought of it earlier. In this current atmosphere, our western friends that want to accept the Greek Cypriot side as a full member of the European Union (EU), should take into consideration this activities.'' When asked whether or not Turkey provided any intelligence to the United States and Britain about illegal activities in the Greek Cypriot side, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''they have already been aware of them. But we will continue to bring these activities onto agenda of the world.'' Stressing that the Greek Cypriot administration posed a serious threat not only for Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), but also for the Eastern Mediterranean Region and for the whole world, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''it is clear that all kinds of corruption and money laundering have been taking place in the Greek Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot side is a risk for regional security. The Greek Cypriot side has been defending terrorism against Turkish Cypriots for a long time. Therefore, the EU should be extremely careful in accepting the Greek Cypriot side as a full member.'' Responding to a question about the constitutional amendment package, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''article envisaging amendment to Article 90 of the Constitituon was taken within scope of the constitutional amendment package, but most of parliamentarians were not satisfied with it. Meanwhile, the parliament debated and voted the constitutional amendment package with a great success. Representatives of five political parties including two opposition parties decided to change 37 articles of the constitution in an atmosphere of full harmony. Nearly all of 37 articles of the package were approved by the parliament. This proved that a culture of compromise has been developing in Turkey.'' ''In the last legislative year, parliament worked day and night, and approved more than 300 laws. Most of these laws have characteristics of structural reform. A few months ago, one of my friends from the EU came to visit me. We talked about speed of legislative works at the parliament. I told him that Turkey had not experienced such a rapid legislative work. He responded me saying that such a work was not seen in the world,'' he said. When recalled of that, ''a second constitutional amendment package is being told of. Besides, Tobacco Law and State Tender Law should be passed within framework of promises given to the IMF,'' Ecevit said that the second package would be taken up but there were laws which should be taken up rapidly prior to this second package. ''The Tobacco Law which was vetoed by the President comes before it. Besides, in the new legislative year, Parliament's priorty will be Tender Law. This is a very important law which will provide transparency in public tenders and prevent favoritism and preferential treatment. Also the EU attributes great importance to it. It is a very important law in regard to prevention of corruption. We should firstly pass it,'' he said. Prime Minister Ecevit said that Borrowing Law which determined public finance and borrowing rules, and Industrial Areas Law to which he attributed great importance, were among the new laws that would be adopted. Noting that high amount of foreign capital could come to Turkey as a result of the Industrial Areas Law, Ecevit said, ''when I went to Davos meeting, some leading businessmen from several countries wanted to have special meeting with me, and we came together. They told me, 'we have investments in Turkey and we want to invest more but we can't do it due to formalities, bureaucracy. We can't take the chance as we should apply to many organizations and institutiopns.' After this, we included an article in the Industrial Areas Law. When I returned to Turkey, I researched how many doors that investors should knock on. I saw that they should knock on 40 doors, and response to these applications may take long years. So we included an article in this law. Under this article, investors will apply to a single authority. And the law is now at the parliament.'' Stressing that operations against corruption would absolutely continue, Ecevit said, ''this government has fought against corruption at a level and dimension which have not seen before, and it will continue this fight.'' When recalled of that ''there is a common opinion that one who works in judiciary and earns more money absolutely gets bribe'' Ecevit said that there were some problems and mistakes in judicial system. Noting that some laws related with the judiciary were among the laws that would be taken up immediately, Ecevit said that Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) Law and the law on trial of civil servants had been sent back to Parliament by President, and that those laws should be taken up again. Stating that there were also some decrees with the force of law that had been abolished by the Constitunal Court, Ecevit said, ''besides, in accordance with the amendments to 36 articles, adjustment laws should be adopted immediately. Otherwise, what we did, will turn out to be nothing. Besides, the parliament will again enter the process of work day and night in coming months.'' -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SPEAKS TO PRIVATE TELEVISION CHANNEL CNN TURK (3) Prime Minister Ecevit attended a program on the private television channel CNN Turk. When asked, ''Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Executive Board Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan said that Turkey should hold elections immediately, Political Parties Law should be amended, and that the governmernt should withdraw as soon as possible. TUSIAD claimed that many things would change in Turkey as a result of the government's withdrawal. Meanwhile, Inan Kirac, one of the former directors of Koc Group, said that businessmen should enter politics. How do you assess these?'' Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''in fact, everything was going quite well till the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11. Both TUSIAD and other business circles accepted this fact. I received a letter from a leading industrialist on July 23. In his letter, this industrialist said, 'the economic program which was started to be implemented following two economic crises, achieved important success. Turkey has recorded a significant progress as a result of structural reforms, and extraordinary works of your government and the parliament. These reforms are signs of an important change in the history of Turkey.' What did happen then? Beginning from September 11, Turkish economy was totaly shaken together with world and U.S. economy. It is businessmen and industrialists who can understand it most. They name the Political Parties Law among the prior laws aiming at overcoming economic crisis. This law is, of course, necessary. But it will not make any contribution to efforts to overcome economic crisis.'' ''I wonder what kind of a government can be formed, if our government withdraws. They should also think about it. It was understood that some high-level businessmen have been low-spirited since September 11. But we should not demoralize the public opinion,'' he said. Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we have been exchanging views and informing all leading economy organizations especially TUSIAD. Everything was going quite well and inflation rate was decreasing till the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11. Instead of putting forward some demoralizing reactions, we should come together to discuss measures to be taken.'' Recalling that laws regarding Treasury's real property had been prepared but one of them had been annulled by the Constitutional Court, Ecevit said, ''we will replace it with a new law. In Turkey, there are opportunities of great source that will be gained through this way. We should not rely only on external source.'' When asked whether or not Turkey would revise the economic program due to attacks on September 11, Ecevit, said, ''maybe. Some changes will absolutely be required. The world has changed. It is impossible for us to remain under such conditions without a change. State Minister Kemal Dervis is now in the United States to discuss these issues. We will wait for his return.'' When asked whether or not he perceived existence of criticisms as an injustice toward both his personality and government, Ecevit said, ''on my personal view, it is injustice.'' Noting that the government had undertaken a defective inheritance and some structural reforms should be adopted to overcome this, Ecevit said, ''previous governments even did not try to do these. The 57th government expended efforts beyond expectations. The parliament which the TUSIAD does not approve of has worked with good intention by expending intense efforts. I think that the parliament should be given its due.'' Responding to the question which said, ''Mr. President has had telephone conversations with several leaders in last few days. He did not launch such an initiative before. Is there a share or distribution of tasks among those who govern Turkey?'' Ecevit said, ''it occurred automatically. Mr. President and we assessed these incidents together. On my personal view, these conversations were beneficial.'' Noting that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a comprehensive telephone conversation, Ecevit said that Sezer and Putin had not only discussed terrorism but also taken up bilateral relations and cooperation. When recalled of Russia's uneasiness about Turkey regarding Chechen militants, Ecevit said, ''despite this, Mr. Putin did not put forward a reaction to Turkey in his conversation with the President. As a state, we are very careful and attentive and sensitive. And also Russia is aware of this. There are many citizens of Chechen origin in Turkey. Some of them may be persons infiltrated into Turkey. But measures were taken. Besides, there are some PKK camps in Russia. We should also focus on this matter. We have such a problem. Also the Russian government does not act on purpose. We don't doubt about its good intention. Russia is aware of our position toward the Chechnya issue.'' Ecevit stressed that relations of Turkey with all regional countries had developed. When asked when Turkey would overcome the economic crisis, Ecevit said, ''when Mr. Dervis undertook the mission about the economy we made assessments and said that economy would be relieved as of September. However, an incident occurred in September. Unfortunately, our economy entered an unsteady process. If we sufficiently make use of our domestic sources in addition of external sources, keep financial policies stable and relieve that production and real economy, we can get rid of this crisis. Despite the incident in the United States, I believe that we can overcome the crisis but I can't set a date for this.'' -FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS TURKEY IS OPEN TO ANY KIND Releasing a written statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed Turkey's satisfaction over unanimously approval of resolution no: 1373 by the United Nations Security Council on September 28. The statement said, ''this resolution no: 1373 which includes operative factors and affirms the UNSC's resolution no: 1368 that was approved in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, changed the factors which Turkey has been defending from the very beginning regarding terrorism, into rules which the U.N. member countries have to abide by in regard to protection of international peace and security. The resolution in question includes factors such as 'eradication of financial sources of terrorism, prevention of all kinds of terrorist acts, creation of an intense cooperation among member countries in fight against terrorism, trial of those who staged terrorist acts as major criminals, prevention of granting terrorists status of refugee, setting up a connection between terrorism and organized crimes, and immediate participation of member countries in all conventions envisaging international cooperation in fight against terrorism'. The resolution also assigns all states to present reports on implementation of the resolution within 90 days to a committee that will be founded within structure of the UNSC.'' ''We hope that resolution would be put into practice completely in all countries with a great determination. We can eradicate terrorism that caused many pains and destructions both in Turkey and in the world, only with an international cooperation and solidarity. Turkey will contiune to maintain its determination and will be open to any kind of cooperation and solidarity in order to eradicate terrorism,'' it added.
Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.