Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-08

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

08 November

2001 Friday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 8, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

According to a draft submitted by the government to the Parliament, those who incite death fasts and hunger strikes will be sentenced to four years in prison. If death occurs in those activities, this punishment will increase to 20 years.

The draft law envisaging amendment to Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and prisons was submittted to the Parliament. Under the draft law those who bring mobile phone, drugs, and weapons to the prisons will be punished with five years in prison.

The draft law also said if the health condition of the prisoners, who are on hunger strike and death fast detoriate, they will be given medical treatment and nourishment without consent.

THEY DON'T SAY ''MY FRIEND'' ANYMORE

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who visited Athens following his harsh statements about Cyprus, started his contacts in an unfriendly atmosphere. Cem and Papandreou acted formally to each other.

Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou put phrase ''my friend'' on the shelf. They addressed to each other saying, ''Mr. Cem'' and ''Mr. Papandreou''.

Cem's contacts started in the cold atmosphere created by Cyprus's progress toward European Union (EU) membership.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

A decision will be given against former Sisli Mayor Gulay Asliturk, currently under trial in London with the request of Turkey for her extradition, will be announced on December 21.

Bow Street Court of the Justice of Peace completed the proceedings in the trial.

Both sides will be able to appeal for the decision that will be announced on December 21.

''PINAR AND I PREPARED THE BOMB''

Alaatin Oget, who decided to be confessor in Misir Bazaar case after three years, claimed that the pipe bomb, which he prepared with Pinar Selek and Abdulmecit Ozturk, had exploded in the bazaar.

Pointing out that he sent a three-page defense to the court, Oget said, ''there are many things I would like to disclose, but I will be the victim of a plot.''

Oget said, ''Pinar is not like an angel as it is reflected in media. Nobody can know her as well as me.''

PRESIDENT SEZER IN TAJIKISTAN

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer left for Tajikistan after paying a visit to Pakistan last week.

Sezer is scheduled to meet with Tajik President Emomali Rahmanov and discuss developments in the region and humanitarian aid.

Sezer is also expected to meet ousted president of Afghanistan Burhaneddin Rabbani.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Purse-snatchers entered to district market with an automobile they stole, killing a person and injuring eight others.

Two purse-snatchers came from Bursa to Istanbul after stealing a car. When police started pursue them in Kadikoy district, they entered to the district market in Bostanci. They went about one kilometers after crashing the civilians. They caused bloodshed in the market place. The woman, whose arm was broken off, lost her life.

The automobile could be stopped after the small-scale retailers blocked the road.

Police rescued the two purse snatchers whom the citizens wanted to lynch.

''OZAL WAS SAYING WE HAD RIGHT''

Dogan Gures, former Chief of General Staff and a parliamentarian from the True Path Party (DYP), following the news reports in the leading newspapers of the U.S. regarding Kirkuk, said ''we should not be carried away by the imaginary scenarios.''

Noting that then-president Turgut Ozal did not convey him any demand regarding Kirkuk when he was acting as the Chief of General Staff, Gures said it was impossible for Turkey to enter Kirkuk ignoring the U.N. Security Council decisions, and probable reactions of Iran and Syria.

However, Gures also said Ozal used to say ''we have rights in these places'' referring to Kirkuk.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who spoke to CBS tv of the U.S., said number of soldiers who would go to Afghanistan may increase.

Ecevit said, ''I would like to say that we will leave this door open according to the developments in the near future.''

Pointing out that the U.S. left the number of soldiers to the appreciation of Turkey, Ecevit reiterated that any operation on Iraq would not be supported.

POLICE SEIZE 61 KG HEROIN

Police confiscated 61 kg heroin which was loaded on a truck from Yuksekova township in southeastern Hakkari province.

Officials said heroin had been carried with trucks, belonging to the same company, nine times from Yuksekova to Istanbul. ''We estimate that a total of 500 kg heroin had been carried with those trucks,'' they noted.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Three members of Turkish Air Forces left for the region to observe the airports in Afghanistan's neighboring countries while it is claimed that Ankara would increase the number of troops it would send to the region to 300. The United States which receives criticisms as it failed to record concrete progress and due to the news about increasing killings of civilians in Afghanistan is now seeking the remedy in participation of its allies. German press reported that Turkey which decided to join the campaign with 90 troops would increase the number of its soldiers to 300 by adding two special forces units. It is observed also from Ankara that Turkey's influence in the operation would increase. Turkish Armed Forces will make the necessary rehabilitation at the bases in accordance with the report of those three aircrewmen.

VAT DOES NOT START WELL

The decision which reduces value added tax (VAT) rate to 18 percent on durable goods, electronic products and automobiles which have less that 1600 cc engine could not cause the expected increase in sales of these goods.

RUSH INTO STOCK EXCHANGE

A great number of circles including the leading companies which play role in financial markets sold U.S. dollar and rushed into the stock exchange, bringing high amount of profits. Besides, interest rates started to reduce.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Hawlett Packard's CEO Carly Fiorina who was selected ''Most Successful Businesswoman in the World'' for two times in last two years by Fortune Magazine said that the 600-year Ottoman Empire was the glue of peace. She said, ''the Ottoman had millions of people of different religions, languages and races living in peace for centuries. So there are a lot of things that the United States has to learn from the Ottomans regarding leadership.''

PURSE-SNATCHER TERROR

Purse-snatcher terror can't be stopped. Snatch-and-run thieves who came onto the agenda again with the killing of teacher Gulay Tosbiyik ten days ago caused terror yesterday in Bostanci, Istanbul. Police started to chase two purse-snatchers Musa Var and Sedat Koyuncu who were released from prison twenty days ago after they snatched the purse of a woman. They drove into the market place in Bostanci with their car in order to escape from police. Police opened fire and stopped the purse-snatchers who passed through the market place, killing an old woman and injuring 14 people. Police saved the purse-snatchers from being lynched.

NEW TAXES IMPOSSIBLE

Making a self-criticism, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said, ''the state should make self-sacrifices and it should shrink. It should no more expect self-sacrifices from people. First of all, useless institutions should be closed down. There are such nonfunctional institutions that even I, as a person who served as the Prime Minister for three times, was not aware of this.''

DERVIS: ''WE HAVE DONE WRONG THINGS''

State Minister Kemal Dervis said, ''we did some things so fast after the February crises. I can't say that we did them completely correct. The problem couldn't be solved with an aspirin so we operated on Turkey.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The resignation of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Koray Aydin from his deputyship who resigned from the Public Works and Housing Ministry after the investigation into corruption in his ministry's tenders, was not accepted.

NOW RICE STOCK STARTS, DOUBLING PRICES

After increases in prices of wheat and vegetal oil, also the rice market got into action. After the market started to accumulate stocks of rice, the price of one kilogram of rice which was 900 thousand Turkish liras (TL) one month ago, rose to 1 million 700 thousand TL.

MUSHARRAF: ''DON'T BLOW UP OSAMA OUT OF PROPORTION''

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said that Osama bin Laden was not so powerful to attempt to make a coup in Pakistan. Musharraf stopped by Turkey on his way from Pakistan to France on an official visit. Holding a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Musharraf said Osama bin Laden should not be considered a very important person, stressing that Turkey and Pakistan had same opinions about Afghanistan issue.

CONTENTS

[01] TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTER ERTUGRULOGLU LEAVES FOR NEW YORK

[02] FOREIGN TRADE FIGURES

[03] ECEVIT SAYS OPPOSITION PARTIES CLEARLY SABOTAGE PARLIAMENTARY WORKS AND STATE AFFAIRS

[04] AEGEAN ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL TOLON DEPARTS FROM TRNC

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKISH MILITARY TROOPS' SUCCESS WOULD INCREASE TURKEY'S ESTEEM IN WORLD

[06] PEARSON:''WE NEED TURKEY'S HELP''

[07] CAKAN:''TURKEY WILL BE THE MAIN ACTOR OF A FAST ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ITS REGION''

[08] A.A PRESIDENT GULER:''WE'RE STARTING A NEW PROJECT TO SUPPORT LOCAL PRESS''

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS GREEK COUNTERPART PAPANDREOU SIGN THREE NEW CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES AGREEMENTS

[10] TURKISH-ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED

[11] CEM AND PAPANDREOU HOLD JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (1)

[12] TURKEY ALLOWS PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF REPORT PREPARED BY COMMITTEE FOR PREVENTION OF TORTURE

[13] DENKTAS SENDS LETTER TO CLERIDES ASKING FOR A FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH HIM

[14] CEM AND PAPANDREOU HOLD JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (2)

[15] CEM: ''TERRORISM CAMPS SHOULD NOT EXIST IN ANY COUNTRY'' (3)

[01] TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTER ERTUGRULOGLU LEAVES FOR NEW YORK

Ertugruloglu will attend the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers Coordination Meeting as observer and meet foreign diplomats.

Ertugruloglu will also meet the representatives of press and tink-tank organizations.

The U.N. 56th General Assembly meeting was postponed following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11.

[02] FOREIGN TRADE FIGURES

Speaking to reporters prior to opening of Eskisehir Customs Directorate, Saygilioglu said total exports which had been 5 billion 87 million U.S. dollars in October of 2000 became 2 billion 524 million U.S. dollars in October of 2001.

Noting that total exports which had been 2 billion 388 million U.S. dollars in October of 2000 became 2 billion 323 million U.S. dollars in October of 2001, Saygilioglu said that total exports could increase by 50 million U.S. dollars with the statistics to be sent by the customs which had not transited into automation yet.

Saygilioglu said, ''with this respect, total exports reduced 18.7 percent to 36 billion 35 million U.S. dollars in first ten months of the year when compared to same period of previous year. Meanwhile, total exports rose 9.35 percent to 25 billion 366 million U.S. dollars in first ten months of the year when compared to same period of 2000.''

Saygilioglu said that foreign trade deficit decreased by 49.5 percent in the first ten months of 2001 when compared to same period of 2000.

He added that the rate of exports meeting imports which had been 52.34 last year rose to 70.40 percent this year.

[03] ECEVIT SAYS OPPOSITION PARTIES CLEARLY SABOTAGE PARLIAMENTARY WORKS AND STATE AFFAIRS

Speaking at DSP Parliamentary Group meeting, Ecevit said that opposition parties had been submitting censure motions about same matters one after another since the opening of the Parliament.

Ecevit said such an attitude of opposition parties clearly sabotaged parliamentary works and state affairs.

''Such an irresponsible opposition attitude has not seen before. The opposition does not have the right to abuse the Constitution and By-Law. The opposition is not less responsible for disruption of works. So it is our right and duty to complain about the opposition to the public,'' he said.

(MS-AÖ)

[04] AEGEAN ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL TOLON DEPARTS FROM TRNC

Meanwhile, the plane carrying General Tolon, was forced to make emergency landing due to a technical failure after taking off from Lefkosa.

Later, General Tolon departed from the TRNC with a plane belonged to TRNC Airways.

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKISH MILITARY TROOPS' SUCCESS WOULD INCREASE TURKEY'S ESTEEM IN WORLD

Speaking at the DSP group meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''the attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, unveiled the fact that terrorism became a widespread threat against the humanity. Turkey has suffered much from terrorism for long years. While some friendly and allied countries hampered Turkey during its fight against terrorism, the United States has always extended support. Therefore, it is our humanitarian duty to participate in the United States' military operation in Afghanistan against Taliban regime. Success of this military operation will be beneficial for all regional countries and for Turkey. Upon a request of the United States, we are sending our officers and non-commissioned officers who are well-experienced in fight against terrorism. Turkish military troops' success in Afghanistan will increase Turkey's esteem in the whole world. I pray to the God to save our soldiers during this important mission.''

Noting that Turkey had also been expending efforts to solve problems of the Afghan people, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey's interest in Afghanistan started before foundation of the Republic of Turkey. Although Turkey was experiencing serious difficulties during those days, 12 officers were sent to Afghanistan in 1920 upon orders of Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Following foundation of the Republic, well-educated bureaucrats, high-ranking military officials and scientists were sent to Afghanistan upon orders of Ataturk. All these developments show that Turkey has always attributed great importance to development and independence of Afghanistan.''

''After the Societ Union occupied Afghanistan, our relations with this country weakened. However, Turkey's interest in Afghanistan revived once again in recent years. We contributed to constructions of schools, hospitals and dwellings for the Afghan people without making any ethnic discrimination,'' he added.

[06] PEARSON:''WE NEED TURKEY'S HELP''

Speaking at the American Business Culture Day on Thursday, Pearson said Turkey had always been in an excellent cooperation with his country and he added that Turkey's help would become indispensible in the present situation.

The U.S. ambassador indicated that the cooperation between the two countries would not be only consisted of military cooperation and it would cover intelligence, politics, diplomatic and financial fields as well.

Praising Turkey's decision to send soldiers to Afghanistan, Pearson said Turkey's courageous decision was followed by other countries. Drawing attention to Turkey's economic problems, Pearson said his country was not underestimating these problems adding that Turkey had the capacity to overcome these financial troubles.

Speaking about Turkey-EU relations, Pearson said Turkey had vital importance for the EU and he contended that Turkey should also work to develop its relations with the United States. He called on Turkish and American businessmen to exert more efforts to achieve this result.

American-Turkish Council Executive Council Chairman Brent Scowcroft said his council had devoted itself to cement relations between the two countries and he pointed out that Turkey and the United States made important alliances all over the world such as Korea, Kosovo, the Gulf and now in Afghanistan.

[07] CAKAN:''TURKEY WILL BE THE MAIN ACTOR OF A FAST ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ITS REGION''

Speaking at the 4th Eurasia Economy Summit, Cakan said Eurasia, with its both natural and social resources, has the potential to reach the highest economic growth rate of the world.

The energy minister maintained that the Caspian region, with its present reserves, is a very attractive area for energy markets of the world. ''Energy is the most important field that would help to form cooperation in Eurasia, Middle East and Caspian region. As a result of the increasing energy demand, the resources in the Caspitan region will become more and more valuable for Turkey,'' Cakan said.

He also indicated that the developments and progress made in Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline Project were pleasing. ''I hope the cooperation between Turkish, Azerbaijani, Georgian and U.S. governments would be followed by other projects,'' he said.

Cakan said that Turkey had electricity interconnection links with neighboring countries and efforts were continuing to form this link also with Greece. ''The interconnection of the Turkish electricity system with the Western European system is a priority for us,'' Cakan said.

He indicated that Turkey was also actively participating in the works of the Mediterranean Countries Interconnection Project which covers south of Europe, north of Africa and a number of countries who are covered by the Western European Interconnection System.

[08] A.A PRESIDENT GULER:''WE'RE STARTING A NEW PROJECT TO SUPPORT LOCAL PRESS''

Anatolian Agency (A.A) President General Director Mehmet Guler, who spoke at the seminar, complained that certain internet sites were stealing the news of A.A.

Stating that local press should be supported, Gurel said a special unit had been formed in the A.A to support local press and also to find out about the expectations in this field. ''We are starting a project to support local press. Our friends who are working in this unit will meet with newspaper owners to determine what kind of news is wanted,'' Guler said.

Guler said objective, correct and secular news writing was the basic principles of the A.A.

''What I mean by secularism is not interfering in anybody's religious beliefs. The A.A defends the Republic and it backs Turkey's national interests. It has always been like that and it will continue the same way because the A.A was founded by Ataturk,'' he stated.

Mardin Governor Temel Kocaklar, who also spoke at the seminar, said holding such activities in Mardin proved that terrorism was eradicated in this region.

''Media takes its strength and power directly from life. We should keep the communication channels between the state and people open,'' he said.

Journalists Federation Chairman Nazmi Bilgin pointed to the economic difficulties of the media and he said that some 9,000 press workers this year lost their jobs. He said monopolization in the media sector was also a big obstacle and it was a ''twin brother'' of censureship.

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS GREEK COUNTERPART PAPANDREOU SIGN THREE NEW CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES AGREEMENTS

The new measures include mutual invitation of Turkish and Greek officers to a comprehensive military exercise as observers, provision of an advanced communication between Turkish and Greek General Staffs, and implementation of a joint and sustainable environment initiative to prevent pollution in the Meric River.

Within framework of the existing cultural cooperation agreement between the two countries, Ali Tuygan, the Turkish Ambassador to Greece, and Dimitris Rokalas, the Director General of Education Affairs of Greek Foreign Ministry, signed a protocol envisaging exchange of cultural programs.

Other protocols about extradition of illegal immigrants, foundation of Turkish-Greek joint unit against natural disasters, and cooperation between diplomatic academies of Turkish and Greek foreign ministries.

Meanwhile, Cem and Papandreou became the first persons signing the Olympiad Peace Declaration.

Cem and Papandreu noted that works had been continuing on the issues of purification of anti-personnel land mines in accordance with Ottowa Accord, cooperation between Turkish and Greek football federations, exchange of information about the European Union (EU) between Turkey and Greece, money laundering, and cooperation between Turkish and Greek journalists.

Meanwhile, Papandreou eulogized works and contributions of the Anadolu Agency (A.A) and the Athens News Agency (ANA) within framework of the cooperation agreement between themselves.

[10] TURKISH-ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED

The document which was called the Ankara Protocol was signed by Diplomacy Correspondents' Association Chairman Yusuf Kanli, Turkish Democracy Foundation Secretary General Murat Sengul, Armenian Yerevan Press Club President Boris Navasardian and Azerbaijani New Generation Journalists Association Arif Aliyev.

The journalists who have been discussing the way Armenian, Azerbaijani and Turkish relations are written in the presses of these three countries for a year, are aiming to wipe out prejudices existing in these three societies.

Kanli, speaking at the signature ceremony, said the protocol's main goal was to wipe out psychological hostility in the three societies. ''The world is going through a new period. All of us know the problems created by hate and intolerance and we'll try to contribute to the friendship between the peoples of the three nations,'' he said.

Aliyev said misinformation causes politicians take wrong decisions and said the examples of this was seen in the past.

[11] CEM AND PAPANDREOU HOLD JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (1)

Cem and Papandreou held a joint press conference.

Speaking at the press conference, Cem and Papendreou said that they had reached an agreement on the protocol about extradition of illegal immigrants, and underlined importance of the protocol.

Cem and Papandreou noted that the protocol was signed within framework of the Article 8 of the agreement envisaging cooperation between Turkey and Greece in fight against organized crime, terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and human smuggling.

Papandreou gave information about the protocol about which the Greek dailies stressed that if it was signed, it would be the most important development of Cem's visit.

He said that the protocol would allow both countries to send back Turkish and Greece citizens or citizens of third countries who illegally enter the country through their border.

Papandreou said, ''there are certain periods of time for this proceeding. Turkey and Greece will inform each other within 14 days in such a case. This agreement does not mean that each person coming to Greece will be sent back immediately. Greece will not send back political refugees because it has to abide by international law.''

Drawing attention to presence of international networks dealing with human smuggling, Papandreou said that these networks having connection with several criminal and terrorist organizations, were obtaining great amounts of money from their illegal activities.

Papandreou underlined importance of cooperation between Turkey and Greece against these networks.

Stressing that Turkey had faced with a serious inflow of refugees following the latest developments in the world, Papandreou said that Turkey and Greece could cooperate to send humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to keep Afghan people in their countries.

Cem also underlined importance of the protocol, saying, ''this issue is of capital importance. The problems being faced are enormous.''

Noting that Turkey had been in close cooperation with Interpol, Greece and Italy, Cem said, ''I want to disclose some figures to make you understood the seriousness of the matter. A total of 94 thousand illegal immigrants were captured in Turkey in 2000. As of beginning of September of 2001, 58 thousand illegal immigrants were captured in Turkey. It's a gigantic task.''

[12] TURKEY ALLOWS PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF REPORT PREPARED BY COMMITTEE FOR PREVENTION OF TORTURE

The Council of Europe said that five reports about the visits and the reply of the Turkish government to these reports would be announced to public in the first months of next year.

The Committee for Prevention of Torture is formed by independent experts and it has the right to inspect the prisons and police stations in Council of Europe countries without giving any notice.

The committee is presenting the related report to the Ministers' Committee which is the decision making organ of the Council of Europe. If the related country allows, the report and the government's report can be announced to public.

Turkey had also allowed the public announcement of the report which was published after the visits to Turkish prisons and police stations in July 2000.

[13] DENKTAS SENDS LETTER TO CLERIDES ASKING FOR A FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH HIM

Speaking at the meeting of the Turkish Metal Workers' Union (Turk-Metal) and Turkish Metal Industrialists' Labor Union (MESS), Denktas said the Greek Cypriots want to join the European Union.

Stating that they can no longer waste time, Denktas said he sent a letter to Clerides as Rauf Denktas, without any official titles.

''I think that a sincere dialogue with Clerides would be useful. I asked for such a meeting through Mr. De Soto, but it didn't happen. I think this is the right time for it. It would be beneficial to meet Clerides, a person who very well knows the possible consequences of Greek Cypriot Administration's entrance to the EU,'' he said.

The TRNC president stressed that the existence of the TRNC was not a threat against anyone but the intention of the Greek Cypriots to take the possession of the whole island would create trouble both for them and the European Union.

Denktas said that the statements of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem also contributed to peace and he believed that this was the right time to meet Clerides.

Turkish Metal Workers' Labor Union Chairman Mustafa Ozbek said neither Turkey nor the TRNC had to pay a cost for Cyprus and if there was a cost to be paid, this should be paid by Greek Cypriot side, Greece and the European Union.

Turkey Metal Industrialists Labor Union Chairman Tugrul Kutadgobilig said Turkey, with its all walks of life, strongly supported Denktas's Cyprus policy.

[14] CEM AND PAPANDREOU HOLD JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE (2)

Cem and Papandreou held a joint press conference.

Responding to a question about possible impacts of Turkey's measures against European Union (EU) full membership of Greek Cypriot side on relations with the EU, Cem said, ''there is not any change in Turkey's attitude towards the EU. Turkey wants a solution that will be acceptable for the two sides in Cyprus. This solution is confederation. The sides' putting pressure on each other for acceptance of their desires is unacceptable. Such a situation will give rise to serious difficulties. According to our point of view, a realistic, beneficial and acceptable solution should be found.''

When asked how Turkish-Greece rapprochement would be affected if a solution could not be reached on the island, Cem said, ''we had better find a solution to the Cyprus question.''

Responding to a question about Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's statement on integration between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Cem said, ''Prime Minister Ecevit made a brief and clear statement. I cannot comment on it. In a frank and sincere way, I can say that it will cause difficulties to all sides. Therefore, we should expend efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus question.''

Noting that it was a well-known fact that Turkey and Greece had different points of view about the Cyprus question, Papandreou said that Athens wanted a solution to be found within framework of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's good will mission and of decision taken by the United Nations Security Council.

''The EU process is in question. We are in favor of a solution within this framework. You know the decisions taken at the EU's summit meeting in Helsinki in 1999. It says that membership could be possible even in case of lack of political solution on the island. In this case, timeframe is clear. There is a period of time of one and a half years or two years. This is a short period of time in regard to politics. We should accelerate our efforts to find a solution. I think that this process is an important opportunity for us. EU membership will be beneficial for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.''

Noting that he did not deny impact of the Cyprus question on Turkish-Greek relations, Papandreou said, ''obviously the longer a solution is not there, the longer this problem will be there as a thorn in our side.''

[15] CEM: ''TERRORISM CAMPS SHOULD NOT EXIST IN ANY COUNTRY'' (3)

During Thursday's press conference, where the two ministers addressed to each other with their first names, Cem and Papandreou emphasized that the two countries made big progress during the rapprochement process.

Cem said that they discussed bilateral relations, the developments that followed Sept. 11 terrorist attack, business opportunities, the Middle East, efforts to prevent conflicts between religions and cultures. He also said that Turkey and Greece were planning to hold European football championship in 2008.

Cem indicated that he and Papandreou agreed that Turkey and Greece should have more organized efforts in the Balkans and mechanisms such as the Balkan Initiative and Stability Pact should be more efficient.

Stating that Turkey is involved in the developments going on in the Middle East, Cem said Turkey's goal was to end violence and restart the talks between Israel and Palestine. Cem stressed that the talks should begin before the preconditions are formed.

How to avoid conflicts between different cultures and civilizations and how to prevent the exploitation of religious feelings was another topic during Cem-Papandreou meeting. Cem said the EU members and members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) should come together to achieve this result.

Papandreou said Cem was a very good friend of his and they take a step forward every time they meet. He said he and Cem had decided to develop relations in New York two years ago and this led to a cooperation.

Responding to a question on the statements of certain Turkish officials about the terrorist activities in Lavrion camp of Greece, Cem said ''I'm not talking about a certain camp. Terrorist camps should not exist in any country. We all must fight against terrorism.''

Commenting on the same question, Papandreou said Greece has a clear attitude against terrorism. ''The Lavrion camp is a facility where political asylum seekers stay. We are working together with the U.N. Higher Commissary of Refugees. We are acting according to international law. We wouldn't allow illegal activities or terrorism on our lands. Political refugees have to obey the laws just as any other Greek citizen,'' he explained.

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article