Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-07

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

07 NOVENBER

2001 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK RETURNS TO TURKEY FROM POLAND

[03] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR TAJIKISTAN

[04] U.S. TO GIVE WEAPONS TO TURKEY

[05] TURKEY'S SHARE IN WORLD TOURISM REVENUE INCREASES BY 37.9 PERCENT

[06] THIRTEEN DIE AS BOAT SINKS IN BODRUM

[07] PRESIDENT SEZER IN TAJIKISTAN -TAJIK PRESIDENT RAHMANOV WELCOMES SEZER WITH AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS HIS VISIT TO GREECE AIMS TO PROMOTE RELATIONS

[09] PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF SAYS PAKISTAN, TURKEY AND THE WORLD COALITION ARE IN UNITY IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

[10] A TOTAL OF 111 PARLIAMENTARIANS FILE SUIT TO ANNUL PARLIAMENT'S DECISION AUTHORIZING GOVERNMENT TO SEND SOLDIERS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES''

[11] PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF SAYS TALIBAN DOES NOT POSE A THREAT FOR PAKISTAN

[12] PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF SAYS THEY WISH U.S. MILITARY OPERATION WON'T CONTINUE IN RAMADAN

[13] PARLIAMENT REJECTS MHP DEPUTY AYDIN'S RESIGNATION FROM DEPUTYSHIP

[14] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''WE MATERIALIZED SEVERAL THINGS RAPIDLY''

[15] INTERVENTION IN AFGHANISTAN DISCUSSED AT PARLIAMENT

[16] PRESIDENT SEZER MEETS WITH HIS TAJIK COUNTERPART

[17] DERVIS SAYS THEY AGREE WITH IMF AND G-7 COUNTRIES ABOUT FINANCE IN PRINCIPLE

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

''EVEN 550 IS NOT ENOUGH''
Responding to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's proposal to decrease the number of deputies to 300, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''even 550 is not enough for population of Turkey.'' Prime Minister Ecevit made this statement during a meeting with True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller. Meanwhile, Ciller proposed to reduce the number of deputies to 450.

SULUN RESIGNS FROM ANAP
Enis Sulun, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) from Tekirdag province, resigned from the ANAP. It was reported that Sulun decided to resign from the Anap after holding talks with True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller last week. He is expected to join the DYP in coming days. Number of ANAP deputies decreased to 79 after resignation of Sulun. In the last two months, Mahmut Bozkurt, Eyup Asik, Ali Er, Burhan Kara, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Suha Tanik and Agah Oktay Guner resigned from the ANAP.

''TURKISH SOLDIERS ARE OPPOSED TO VIOLENCE IN CYPRUS''
Morton Abramowitz, the former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey who came to Turkey as the member of the International Crisis Group (ICG), said about the Cyprus question that a serious act of violence would not happen on the island as long as Turkish soldiers continue to stay in Cyprus.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

NEW BARRICADES PUT IN KUCUKARMUTLU
New barricades have been put in Kucukarmutlu district of Istanbul where the security forces launched an operation last Monday to remove the barricades put around houses where certain persons were on death fast. The families of the persons who were death fasting claimed that police opened fire on the houses. The tension in the district still continues. Meanwhile, six of the ten persons who were hospitalized during the operation were discharged from hospital. These persons were taken to the nearest police station. The association of prisoner's families (TAYAD) claimed in a press release that the police opened fire on the houses and that the four persons were killed in the fire of the police. Meanwhile, the barricades which were removed by the heavy construction machines and armoured police vehicles were erected again.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

''IF WE ENTER KIRKUK, WE LOSE 40 THOUSAND SOLDIERS''
Gunes Taner unveiled a ten-year secret. Former President Turgut Ozal called General Staff Chief General Torumtay to a meeting at the Cankaya Presidential Palace during the Gulf War. Ozal asked Torumtay, ''how many soldiers will we lose if we enter Kirkuk?'' General Torumtay did not responded to Ozal's question. Taner intervened in the dialogue and said, ''we lose at least 30-40 thousand soldiers.'' General Torumtay confirmed it.

DEMOCRACY PACKAGE FROM DISSIDENTS
Drafts envisaging amendment to the Political Parties and Election Law was submitted to the Parliament Speaker's Office. The drafts were prepared by Isin Celebi, a deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP), and signed by dissident deputies from all political parties and by independent deputies. The draft envisages democratization in political parties and in election.

SORROWFUL END IN JOURNEY TO HOPE
A boat carrying foreigners to Greece ilegally, capsized off Bodrum township of western province of Mugla. Five of the foreigners died and 17 of them got lost. Meanwhile, five others managed to survive the accident by swimming. They were taken to medical treatment in hospital.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

DISK AND KESK'S MARCH TOWARDS ANKARA CONTINUES
The march organized by Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK) and Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) to Ankara and which is also supported by the Labour Platform continues from various provinces of Turkey. A total of 5,000 workers and civil servants who started their march from Istanbul carried banners written ''Global Equality, Justice and Peace,'' ''Go Home IMF'' on them yesterday. The march is organized to protest unemployment, poverty, and corruption. DISK Chairman Suleyman Celebi said that Turkey went through its darkest days.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

DISCUSSION BETWEEN CEM AND KHARRAZI
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi who paid an official visit to Turkey, criticized Turkey's decision to send military troops to Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Cem argued with his Iranian counterpart. He told Kharrazi, ''we are going to Afghanistan to save Afghans.''

DID WE CHANGE CONSTITUTION?
The right to hold demonstration and protest was strengthened following adoption of constitutional amendments. Yesterday's demonstration had been the first since adoption of constituional amendments, but nothing has changed. Police used club and tear-gas to disperse students who held a demontration to protest the Higher Education Board (YOK)A number of students were beaten and detained. Similar incidents took place also in Ankara and Diyarbakir.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TRADESMEN REACT TO VAT DECREASE
Tradesmen and artisans reacted to the decrease in Valua Added Tax (VAT) only in durable goods and automobile sector. Tradesmen and artisans noted that there is a great crisis in all sectors, calling the government to decrease VAT rates also in other sectors-as this will revive the markets- and to decrease income and corporation taxes. Ankara Trade Chamber Chairman Sinan Aygun said that the decrease in the VAT rates only in two sectors is not fair. He added that the decrease of VAT rates for only 1-2 months is not a support extended to these sectors, but only a political populism.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

KHARRAZI SAYS IRAN ALSO SUFFERED FROM TALIBAN
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi who came to Ankara as the official guest of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem ciriticized the operation in Afghanistan. Kharrazi said that Iran had also suffered from the Taliban regime. Noting that the Northern Alliance has to form a good coalition between them to become successful, Kharrazi said that the peace force that will be sent to Afghanistan has to be supervised by the U.N. Speaking in the joint news conference with Foreign Minister Cem, Kharrazi said that the intervention of foreign forces in Afghanistan will aggravate the problem, adding that the solution has to be found by the Afghan people themselves.

[02] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK RETURNS TO TURKEY FROM POLAND

Speaking in the news conference at Esenboga Airport, Turk said that 17 presidents from European countries, representatives from four observer states, including Turkey and international institutions like the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO attended the conference.

Noting that the presidents told at the conference that they were besides the U.S., Turk stressed that the conference stressed the importance of international cooperation against terrorism.

Turk remarked that the conference also pointed out to the resolution and effective cooperation in preventing certain countries from becoming a ''heaven'' for terrorism. These views were stated in the declaration announced at the end of the conference and the action plan, he said.

''Fight with terrorism necessitates new arrangements to be made in various fields. We need new provisions which talk about the new dimensions terrorism today. The conference pointed out to the necessity of giving authority to security forces and anti-terrorism units in their fight with terrorism. Besides a consensus of opinion has been reached to closely monitor studies in this field. The heads of states also decided to examine the issues of founding a centre to make researches about terrorism and an international fund to help terror victims,'' Turk said.

Noting that press members asked questions to the attendees of the conference, Turk said that questions were also asked to him about the operation in Afghanistan as being a minister of a Muslim country which supports the U.S.

Turk said that he told reporters that Turkey was a secular state whose majority of the population is Muslim, adding that ''I told that Turkey suffered from terrorism for years and it was natural for her to take the lead in the fight with terrorism. I stressed that an international fight against terrorism should not be perceived as a fight against any religion, and that no body had the right to speak on behalf of religion.''

Turk said that in his speech with Polish tv channel that he stressed the importance of intelligence in effective fight with terrorism, noting that cooperation is also necessary against new terrorism types such as ''biological terrorism.''

Turk said that in his address in the conference, he remarked that the terrorist attacks in the U.S. were launched on peace loving nations and on the values of the whole humanity. He said that he also referred to the importance of international cooperation, and noted that terrorism didn't have any race, religion or colour and that Turkey shared the views of the U.S. about terrorism.

Noting that the conference constituted an important opportunity to hold bilateral contacts, Turk said that he had met with President Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland, and added that Kwasniewski had invited President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to Poland next year.

Recalling that he had also met with the President of Albania, the Interior Minister of European Union (EU) Term President Belgium, and the Justice Minister of Poland, Turk told reporters, ''I asked Belgian Interior Minister whether or not some terrorist organizations which were banned in the United States in Britain, were banned in Belgium. He told me that such a decision had not been taken in his country yet, and said that there were different assessments in the public opinion. Although attacks in the United States on September 11 brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront in the world, some countries could not come to the necessary conslusion. Therefore, we should continue to make statements on these issues. Belgian Interior Minister said that these organizations were not involved in any illegal actions in Belgium. He said that although he understood our concerns, there was not any adequate evidence about these organizations to start legal proceedings. Earlier, we sent some files to Belgium. I asked him to assess these files.''

Noting that U.S. President George W. Bush had attended the conference through telephone connection, Turk said that Bush expressed his satisfaction over European countries' attitude towards fight against terrorism.

Stressing that fight against terrorism became the most important matter on the international agenda, Turk said that the world had begun to understand importance of cooperation in fight against terrorism.

[03] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR TAJIKISTAN

Speaking at Esenboga Airport, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that his visit to Tajikistan and Georgia carries great importance as it takes place in a period in which recent developments deeply affected the international atmosphere.

Sezer said that he leaves Turkey to pay a visit to Tajikistan between 7-8 November upon the invitation of Tajikistan President Imamali Rahmanov and to Georgia upon the invitation of Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze between 8-9 November. President Sezer noted that State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay will accompany him during his visit, adding that Tajikistan is a friendly country to which Turkey attributes great importance and with which Turkey tries to improve the relations and cooperation in all fields.

Recounting that Turkey is one of the countries which recognized first the independence of Tajikistan, adding that ''we will exchange views and evaluate the bilateral and multilateral relations with Tajik President Mr. Rahmanov in my visit to Tajikistan which is the first one at the presidential level since 1995. We are also proud and pleased by the fact that my visit takes place on the tenth anniversary of Tajikistan's independence. I also plan to take up with Tajik President the international situation that came out following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 17.''

Noting that Tajikistan is the only country by which transportation with the territories controlled by the North Alliance can be provided, Sezer recalled that the humanitarian aid of Turkey to Afghanistan was also sent via Tajikistan.

''We will have the opportunity to discuss the methods of overcoming the difficulties of Afghan people during our contacts in Tajikistan. In this framework we will also discuss the details of bilateral and regional cooperation in the fight with terrorism,'' Sezer said.

Describing Georgia as a neighboring country having close relations with Turkey and an important country in the Caucasus, President Sezer noted, ''during my visit to this country, President Eduard Shevardnadze and I will assess recent developments and their impacts on our region within framework of the extraordinary conditions that affected the whole international atmosphere. We will exchange views on other bilateral and regional issues. We will also take up opportunities to deepen political, economic, commercial and military cooperation between Turkey and Georgia. Within this framework, we will assess the current level of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project and the steps to be taken to accelerate the works. We believe that the project would make a valuable contribution to peace and stability in the Caucasus.''

''Georgia has been experiencing a difficult period recently. We see that tension escalated following the incidents in Abkhazia. We have been monitoring all these developments. I want to exchange views with President Shevardnadze also on these issues and on Turkey's possible contributions to efforts to find a peaceful solution to the problem,'' he stressed.

President Sezer noted, ''on numerous occasions, we stressed the importance we attributed to territorial integrity and stability of Georgia in international platforms. Stability in Georgia is of vital importance for stability in the whole region and for welfare of regional people. We believe that steps to strengthen political stability in Georgia would be taken as soon as possible.''

He added, ''according to our point of view, our visits to Tajikistan and Georgia gained more importance because they coincided with developments that affected the whole world.''

President Sezer is expected to return to Turkey on Friday after wrapping up his visits to Tajikistan and Georgia.

[04] U.S. TO GIVE WEAPONS TO TURKEY

The military aspects of the support package that is carried out by U.S. Department of Defense Pentagon have started to come out.

Pentagon plans to transfer various weapons and military equipment including helicopters to Turkey by donations or by selling them at reasonable prices.

Pentagon thinks to donate 25 military helicopters to Turkey while Seahawk type naval helicopters needed by the Turkish Naval Forces planned to be sold to Turkey by U.S. Eximbank credits.

The weapons and equipment which can be transferred to Turkey by donations or by giving facilities can also be diversified. The U.S. administration also continues its studies to erase the whole part or interests of the military sales credit debt of Turkey which is more than five billion dollars.

The U.S. Congress sources told A.A that the credit's interests or a part of the debt are expected to be erased.

The U.S. also works on certain measures which will faciliate textile and steel exports of Turkey. The same sources said that these facilities can be impeded by the local industry lobbies at the U.S. Congress.

The sources said that the parts of the support package to Turkey will be transferred to the U.S. Congress in the coming weeks.

The observers said that the provisions of the package in defense field are not expected to be opposed by the U.S. Congress.

[05] TURKEY'S SHARE IN WORLD TOURISM REVENUE INCREASES BY 37.9 PERCENT

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data, Turkey's tourism revenue which was 3.6 billion U.S. dollars in 1992, increased by 37.9 percent to 7.6 billion U.S. dollars.

Shares of member countries to the OECD in world tourim revenue between 1992 and 2000 are as follows:

. SHARE (Percent)

Country 1992 2000 Difference

------------- ---- ---- ---------
1- Poland 0.06 1.28 2.033.0

2- China 1.13 3.41 201.8

3- Brazil 0.32 0.89 178.1

4- Greece 1.05 1.94 84.8

5- Hungary 0.40 0.72 80.0

6- South Korea 0.86 1.39 61.6

7- Malaysia 0.65 0.96 47.7

8- Czech Republic 0.49 0.69 40.8

9- Ukraine 0.05 0.07 40.0

10-TURKEY 1.16 1.60 37.9
11-Egypt 0.69 0.91 31.9

12-Argentina 0.47 0.61 29.8

13-Indonesia 0.98 1.21 23.5

14-Belgium 1.31 1.61 22.9

15-Russia 0.70 0.85 21.4

16-Australia 1.52 1.77 16.4

17-Israel 0.61 0.68 11.5

18-Ireland 0.53 0.58 9.4

19-Canada 2.10 2.26 7.6

20-Sweden 0.99 0.94 -5.1

21-India 0.73 0.69 -5.5

22-Thailand 1.63 1.50 -8.0

23-Portugal 1.19 1.09 -8.4

24-Spain 7.16 6.51 -9.1

25-Mexico 1.95 1.74 -10.8

26-United States 20.13 17.90 -11.1

27-Finland 0.42 0.35 -16.7

28-Britain 5.04 4.11 -18.5

29-France 8.13 6.28 -22.8

30-Italy 7.54 5.76 -23.6

31-Netherlands 1.91 1.46 -23.6

32-Germany 5.12 3.74 -27.0

33-Hong Kong 2.44 1.66 -32.0

34-Denmark 1.26 0.84 -33.3

35-Singapore 1.83 1.19 -35.0

36-Japan 1.15 0.71 -38.2

37-Switzerland 2.62 1.53 -41.6

38-Austria 4.42 2.40 -45.7

[06] THIRTEEN DIE AS BOAT SINKS IN BODRUM

Officials at Mugla Gendarmerie Commandership said that the boat namely Performans, on which one Turk and 16 foreigners who entered Turkey illegally were aboard, sank off Bitez coast.

The officials noted that one Turk, six Nigerians, four Sierra Leoneans, one Irish, and one unidentified person drowned to death while one South African and two Nigerians were rescued.

One person was reported missing in the ship accident, the officials added.

A boat had capsized in the same region on Monday, killing five. Five people were rescued while 12 people were reported missing in yesterday's accident.

[07] PRESIDENT SEZER IN TAJIKISTAN -TAJIK PRESIDENT RAHMANOV WELCOMES SEZER WITH AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY

Tajikistan National Assembly Speaker Mehmet Sait Ubeyzullav, Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov, Turkey's Ambassador in Dushanbe Ahmet Ferit Ulker, and foreign mission representaties in Tajikistan, attended the welcoming ceremony.

Official talks will start between the delegations of the two countries following the tete-a-tete meeting of President Sezer and his Tajik counterpart Rahmanov.

State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay accompanies Sezer during the meeting.

Former President Suleyman Demirel had visited Tajikistan in 1995.

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS HIS VISIT TO GREECE AIMS TO PROMOTE RELATIONS

Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou held a joint press statement to reporters at the airport.

Foreign Minister Cem said that his wife and he were always pleased to visit Athens and that he would have the opportunity to exchange views about bilateral relations, issues concerning two countries, and international developments following the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Cem noted that he always talked on the phone with Papandreou and met during several conferences and occassions.

Now, they would intensify on the current developments in their tete-a-tete meeting, Cem stated.

Cem pointed out that he attributed vital importance to Papandreou's evaluations and said, ''we will express our observations during our meeting. We will debate developments in Afghanistan and other international developments.''

A protocol regarding the formation of a joint department against natural disasters and a protocol on the exchange of experiences between the foreign ministries of two countries would be signed within the scope of his tour to Greece, Cem said.

Cem noted that they would also debate the confidence-building measures in the Aegean and have the opportunity to announce three new measures if they could finalize their deliberations.

He would meet with Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Costas Caramanlis, the leader of the main opposition party New Democracy, Cem added.

Papandreou, who stressed that he was pleased to host Cem in Athens, said that this visit was one of the working visits which Cem and he planned to pay every six months.

They would debate bilateral relations and handle the implementation of the agreements that had been signed, Papandreou noted.

Papandreou stated that they would also exchange views about international developments following September 11th terrorist attacks.

They would also open Cem's photograph exhibition, Papandreou pointed out and said that this was a special event for both of them.

Cem will have a tete-a-tete meeting with Papandreou this noon and have a luncheon.

He would be received by Stephanopoulos and meet with Caramanlis in the evening.

Cem will later deliver a speech in the opening ceremony of the Fourth Turkish-Greek Business Council and attend the dinner that Papandreou will host in his honour.

Two foreign ministers will hold a joint press conference following their interdelegationary meeting on Thursday.

Cem will later meet with Simitis.

After attending the luncheon hosted by Ali Tuygan, Turkey's Ambassador to Greece, Cem will open his photograph exhibition named ''Seasons'' together with Papandreou.

Cem will later leave for Turkey.

[09] PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF SAYS PAKISTAN, TURKEY AND THE WORLD COALITION ARE IN UNITY IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Musharraf said he was very pleased to be in Turkey.

Musharraf said he would visit France, Britain and the U.S., noting that it has always been a pleasure for him to be in Turkey.

Pointing out that a critical and an important stage was underway in world history, Musharraf stressed that importance of his visit to France, Britain and the U.S. increased when September 11 attacks and the things that were made to Afghanistan were taken into consideration.

Musharraf said they did their best to put an end to the clashes in Afghanistan soon, yet noted that Pakistan took a decision and became a part of the world coalition in fight against terrorism.

Musharraf said Pakistan was in unity with Turkey and the world coalition in this struggle. He said, ''we share the same goals. I can say with pride that Pakistan and Turkey share a joint vision on Afghanistan issue. Turkey and Pakistan also have same vision on international and regional problems.''

[10] A TOTAL OF 111 PARLIAMENTARIANS FILE SUIT TO ANNUL PARLIAMENT'S DECISION AUTHORIZING GOVERNMENT TO SEND SOLDIERS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES''

Yasin Hatiboglu, Veysel Candan, the SP Group Acting Chairmen; Seref Malkoc and Mustafa Kamalak, the SP Parliamentarians presented the application, composed of 15 pages, to Constitutional Court General Secretary Sadi Buyukeren.

[11] PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF SAYS TALIBAN DOES NOT POSE A THREAT FOR PAKISTAN

Musharraf responded to the questions of reporters in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.

Responding to a question, Musharraf said they wanted Afghan refugees in Pakistan to return to their countries, noting that, ''if you are talking about the Pakistanis who went to Afghanistan, this is a different issue. Of course, we don't want Pakistanis to pass the border and enter Afghanistan. It is a mountainous region and unfortunately they pass the border through the mountains. We can not achieve to stop them 100 percent.''

When asked if Taliban posed a threat due to Pakistan's domestic policy, Musharraf said Taliban did not pose a threat for them, noting that Pakistan's diplomatic relations with them continued.

Musharraf said Pakistan was the only country which recognized Afghanistan and has diplomatic relations, noting that Pakistan has a joint history and joint culture, and that they share the geography.

He said Taliban was the government of Afghanistan, noting that, ''they have their own views, and they don't pose a threat to Pakistan if they keep their views with them.''

Responding to a question about the operation on Afghanistan, Musharraf said air operation of the U.S. continued, and that they extended logistic support to the coalition forces. Musharraf said the land operations were limited with ''rescue and search''.

When a journalist said news reports which appeared in Pakistani media said the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan mentioned splitting Afghanistan, Musharraf said he did not think Annan would split Afghanistan.

Pointing out that he believed that Annan was against such kind of plans, Musharraf said, ''may be there is a misundestanding. We should provide a unity when political solutions proposed for Afghanistan are considered. We should provide stability. There should be a broad based coalition covering all ethnic groups. This government should take into consideration the demographical structure of the country. We want a government in Afghanistan which has friendly relations with its neighbours, however Afghan people themselves should search for solutions. I don't think it is right for other people or countries to impose solution from outside.''

When asked if he would have a special request from France, Britain and the U.N., Musharraf said Pakistan only wanted economic support because their economy received great damage because of the things happening in Afghanistan.

Musharraf said the coalition partners were aware of this and ready to help Pakistan. He said he was not going there to make a request, yet stressed that those countries knew their problem and economic difficulties. Musharraf said those countries helped them.

Musharraf said the principle issues they would discuss were what were happening in Afghanistan and the future of Afghanistan. He said, ''we may talk about three stages, namely military, political and rehabilitation strategy. All those should be implemented with military strategy. Those are the issues we would like to

discuss.''

[12] PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF SAYS THEY WISH U.S. MILITARY OPERATION WON'T CONTINUE IN RAMADAN

Musharraf answered questions of reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.

When asked as a Muslim leader, what he felt over killing of Muslims in Afghanistan, Musharraf said, ''I definitely feel very sorry about killing of every civilian. This is what we mean to explain when we say the operation should be short. This operation should end in the shortest possible time period and it should not harm civilians seriously. We hope the operation would not go on in the holy month of Ramadan. Because, this will definitely have negative effects around the Islamic world. I will discuss this matter with President Bush.''

When asked whether or not there were generals in Pakistani army against him, Musharraf said, ''they do not have any chance. Can there be such a thing in the Turkish Armed Forces? No, it can not be. The Pakistani Armed Forces is very disciplined. It listens to its Chief of General Staff. It does obey the demands of its President. This is a baseless propaganda. Our army is one of the most disciplined armies in the world. If there would have been such a thing, I had not left Pakistan.''

When asked whether or not Osama bin Laden was in Pakistan to get prepared for a coup, Musharraf said he did not suppose Osama bin Laden was in Pakistan.

''We do know who enters and exists Pakistan. Don't consider Osama bin Laden such a very important person. He is not such a very important person. We should not think that he is so powerful to make such things,'' he said.

[13] PARLIAMENT REJECTS MHP DEPUTY AYDIN'S RESIGNATION FROM DEPUTYSHIP

In the vote at the General Assembly, ten deputies from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and two deputies from the Motherland Party (ANAP) cast their votes in favor of acceptance of Aydin's resignation together with the opposition parties' deputies.

Koray Aydin who had earlier resigned from Public Works and Housing Ministry had submitted his resignation petition to Parliament Speaker's Office on September 5, 2001 and it was put to vote at the Parliamentary General Assembly today in accordance with Article 84 of the Constitution.

In the vote, all MHP deputies and most of the DSP and ANAP deputies cast their votes against acceptance of Aydin's resignation.

Following the vote, Deputy Parliament Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu announced that Aydin's petition for resignation from his deputyship was rejected with majority of votes and this announcement received ovation of MHP deputies.

[14] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''WE MATERIALIZED SEVERAL THINGS RAPIDLY''

Addressing a lunch hosted by American-Turkish Council, Dervis said system in finance sector and business world entered to difficulty because of the unexpected devaluation in February, noting that efforts are underway to get used to floating foreign currency.

Dervis said problems in banking, banking inspection system, usage of public banks, and inadequacy in privatization were earlier neglected, noting that February crisis underlined those problems.

Stressing that this problem could not be solved by getting an aspirin or antibiotic, and that surgical operation was obligatory from now on, Dervis said, ''everybody is aware that we should materialize very important things besides the foreign aid and all efforts.''

Dervis said Turkey was trying to solve its rooted structural problems, adding that those problems were partially the reason of the crisis. He said they were trying to put Turkey into a new road for a sustainable development.

Pointing out that many things were realized in the past, Dervis said structural reform laws were passed from the parliament, and that deregulations were made in many sectors and transparency was provided.

[15] INTERVENTION IN AFGHANISTAN DISCUSSED AT PARLIAMENT

Speaking at the Parliamentary General Assembly, some deputies expressed their opinions about the United States' operation in Afghanistan.

Mustafa Kamalak, a Felicity Party (SP) deputy from Kahramanmaras, claimed that the United States had decided on a military operation in Afghanistan although there had not been any evidences.

Defending that the war in Afghanistan made them remember the Dardanelles Battle, Kamalak said, ''the most powerful country is bombing the weakest country. And other countries are backing the powerful one. Sufficient evidences had not been put forward before the operation. If they had been convincing evidences, trial of Osama bin Ladin in a neutral country should have come to the agenda. There should have been an operation in Afghanistan if Afghanistan would not allow such a trial.''

Criticizing the decision on sending Turkish soldiers to Afghanistan, Kamalak said that peace pigeon Bulent Ecevit should not mark black stains in the history.

Mehmet Cicek, a Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy from Yozgat, claimed that the Ottoman Empire had been lost due to a tactical mistake in the World War I, adding, ''we may lose the Republic of Turkey after a possible tactical mistake in Afghanistan war.''

Alleging that Turkey should be the trigger man of any country, Cicek said that the needs of the Turkish soldiers who would go to Afghanistan should be met by Turkey.

Sevket Bulent Yahnici said that there was Pashtun dominance over Afghanistan which had been brought to power by external forces.

Noting that one of the extended parts of Taliban was Pashtun, Yahnici said Taliban was making ''pashtun racism'' although there was not racism in Islam.

He said that advocacy of Osama bin Laden did not suit the Turkish parliament.

After this statement, Kamalak said, ''Yahnici has said something, and there is an interlocutor of this, of course. Nobody here is defending Osama bin Laden. What I meant to say that innocent civilians suffer loss and harm although there is not an evidence.''

[16] PRESIDENT SEZER MEETS WITH HIS TAJIK COUNTERPART

Sezer laid a wreath to the monument of Ismail Samani, the founder of Samani Dynasty and later proceeded to State Guesthouse, where he was welcomed by Rahmonov.

President Sezer and Rahmonov held tete-a-tete meeting at the guesthouse.

Following the tete-a-tete meeting, interdelegationary meetings started.

Rahmanov told reporters that he believed that Sezer would further improve bilateral relations.

At the end of the interdelegationary meetings, two presidents will sign a joint declaration.

A cooperation agreement on fight against international terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crimes and an agreement on cooperation in communication will be signed.

Sezer will meet with Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov, and ousted Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani on Thursday.

[17] DERVIS SAYS THEY AGREE WITH IMF AND G-7 COUNTRIES ABOUT FINANCE IN PRINCIPLE

Dervis, who spoke at the luncheon hosted by American-Turkish Council, said thathe was optimistic about the ongoing discussions with the IMF delegation about the details of the financial package.

State Minister Dervis noted that 17 arrangements were made within the framework of structural reforms carried out to overcome the economic crisis.

Dervis stated that the optimistic atmosphere which occured in August was negatively affected by the September 11th terrorist attacks.

The financial assistance which would be provided from abroad would put the confidence in Turkey, Dervis pointed out and said, ''we are optimistic. 2002 finance package will be formed. We will overcome the shock created by the September 11th terrorist attacks by the foreign aid.''

Dervis said that they had had contacts with international organizations and G-7 conutries about financial aid to overcome negative effects of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

International finance organization existed to extend assistance in the periods when the stability was damaged, Dervis noted.

Dervis said that they had been in intensive bargaining and that the bargaining was under way, adding that they had agreed in principle.

The common stance in the negotiations was the continuation of Turkey's economic reforms, acceleration of reforms in some fields, and additional financial package, Dervis noted.

Dervis pointed out that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the government was behind the things that should be done.

Turkey could record 4 percent growth in 2002 if it could stay in a competitive currency, Dervis said.

Dervis noted that this was a realistic target and said, ''we are working on details with the IMF. We are trying to create a scenario for 2002. There are many reasons to be optimistic. Announcement of financial package is very important for confidence in markets.''

Touching on initiatives to be done in 2002, Dervis said that finalization of reforms in financial sector was one of these initiatives.

Within this framework, state banks should be re-arranged and private banks should be strengthened, Dervis noted.

Dervis stated that privatization initiatives should be accelerated.

Touching on lack of coordination among ministries and institutions, Dervis said that coordination should be ensured.

Regarding restructuring of public sector, Dervis touched on the importance of efficient operation of public sector.

Dervis noted that they should deal with the problems which could not be solved so far.

Strong financial policy of Turkey would continue, Dervis stated and said that if Turkey achieved these targets, there was not any reason not to record 7 percent annual growth rate.

Dervis added that Turkey had the dynamism, potential and will for this.

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