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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-14

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

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

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

14NOVEMBER 2001

Wednesday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] FM CEM SPEAKS AT U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL: ''TURKEY IS READY TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN''
  • [03] REAL SECTOR MEETING HELD AT TREASURY
  • [04] TURKISH EMBASSY IN LONDON SAYS IT WAS BALFOUR BEATTY'S COMMERCIAL PREFERENCE
  • [05] BRAHIMI PROPOSES MULTINATIONAL FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN FROM TURKISH, JORDANIAN AND EUROPEAN TROOPS
  • [06] TURKEY TO REOPEN ITS EMBASSY IN KABUL AND CONSULATE GENERAL IN MAZAR-I SHARIF
  • [07] GAP'S EXPORT OF PISTACHIO INCREASES BY 954 PERCENT
  • [08] REPORT ON U.S.-TURKEY RELATIONS AND WAR ON TERRORISM SAYS TURKEY FROZE BANK ACCOUNTS BELONGING TO ORGANIZATIONS LINKED TO AL QAEDA
  • [09] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF KAHKONEN IN TOBB (1)
  • [10] FOREIGN POLICY MEETING IN PRIME MINISTRY
  • [11] DENKTAS SENDS SECOND LETTER TO CLERIDES
  • [12] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF KAHKONEN VISITS TOBB (2)
  • [13] DENKTAS SAYS HE IS INSISTING ON MEETING WITH CLERIDES
  • [14] GERMAN TO PROVIDE TURKEY 25 MILLION MARK SUBSIDY CREDIT AND 45 MILLION MARK DONATION
  • [15] YILMAZ: ''THOSE WHO HAVE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK WELL, WILL NATURALLY HAVE GOOD REPORT CARDS''
  • [16] CAKMAKOGLU: 'TURKEY COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A PEACE FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN''
  • [17] DYP LEADER CILLER CLAIMS ECEVIT IS TO OFFER CYPRUS TO GREEK CYPRIOTS IN A GOLDEN TRAY DUE TO ADMINISTRATION VACUUM

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 14, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    EU: ''NATIONAL PROGRAM IS FAR AWAY FROM MEETING OUR EXPECTATIONS''
    The European Union (EU) Commission handed out the annual progress reports of 13 candidate countries to the press. The EU said in its Progress Report for Turkey that it was not satisfied with the National Program of Turkey. Noting that Turkish government did not fulfil political criteria of the EU, the EU said that Turkey should accelerate economc and political reforms.

    SECOND OPERATION LAUNCHED IN KUCUKARMUTLU
    Following the first operation in Kucukarmutlu district of Istanbul on November 4 in which four people were killed and 10 others were injured, security forces launched a second operation in the district to remove the barricades set up by some illegal groups.

    BAHCELI: ''TURKEY IS A NATURAL GUARANTOR OF PEACE''
    State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said that Turkey was a natural guarantor of peace in the world. Meanwhile, Bahceli met with True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller. Ciller and Bahceli have reached full consensus of opnion on that the Political Parties and Election Law should be amended. They have decided to submit the amendment proposal to the Parliamentary Constitution Commission.

    KAHKONEN TO REQUEST 10 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS FOR TURKEY
    International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen, determined the amount of supplementary source for the year 2002 after their ten-day contacts. The delegation that is expected to depart from Turkey tomorrow, will propose the IMF to provide a supplementary source of 10 billion U.S. dollars.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    IMF TO GIVE ADDITIONAL LOAN TO TURKEY
    IMF decided to give the additional loan which Turkey wanted to take. The government and the IMF officials reached a consensus of opinion about the savings measures package prepared by the economy administration which totals up to 7 quadrillion liras and additional finance. IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen will explain the agreement to IMF Executive Board by telecommunication today. A source of at least 9 billion dollars will be provided from IMF sources.

    ''OPERATION IS ABOUT TO FINISH IN PAKISTAN''
    Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf who met with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in Istanbul where he stopped during his trip back from the U.S. warned Turkey not to join the land operation in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Ecevit in his part said that the operation is about to finish in Afghanistan and may be there would be no need to send soldiers to Afghanistan. Ecevit who welcomed Musharraf at Ataturk Airport, talked to him for 40 minutes.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    IT IS TIME TO REVIVE
    A campaign has been launched to boost people's morale in the wake of the devastating earthquake disaster in 1999 and ensuing two serious economic crises. The slogan of this campaign is ''willingly for this country!'' Many firms including press organs will use this slogan. The United States overcame September 11 syndrome and Far Eastern countries overcame economic crisis as a result of such campaigns. Now, it is out turn.

    A GERMAN CITIZEN IN KUCUKARMUTLU
    Security forces launched a second operation in Kucukarmutlu district of Istanbul in which death-fasters have been continuing their action. Barricades in the streets were removed, and death-fasters were taken to hospitals. In the operation, 10 people were detained. One of them was identified as a German citizen.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    MUSHARRAF MEETS WITH ECEVIT
    President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan who met with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, said that different ethnic groups should take place in the new government in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''our special forces team of 90 soldiers has not left for Afghanistan yet. They have been carrying out preparatory works in Turkey. Except for this team, any request for additional troop was not made. I suppose that the military operation is about to come to an end.''

    VERHEUGEN: ''CYPRUS WILL CAUSE CRISIS''
    European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that all candidate countries except for Turkey had fulfilled political criteria. Defending that Turkey's attitude about the European Security and Defense Policy, was disappointing, Verheugen said that if the Cyprus question was not solved, a serious crisis would erupt.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    EU:TURKEY IS NOT READY
    EU Commission didn't shed green light to Turkey for the full membership negotiations. The Progress Report announced by the EU Commission yesterday noted that democracy in Turkey is not sufficient, economy is weak and the problem in Cyprus has not been solved. The EU Commission noted that Turkey is not eligable yet for the full membership negotiations with EU. Turkey was hoping the Progress Report to start the screening process which was considered as a ''beginning'' of the full membership negotiations.

    POVERTY SACK
    The economic crisis in the country continues to deeply affect the people. People crush each other in the rush to get the 20 kg of food aid distributed in Kocaeli province which is one of the most developed provinces of Kocaeli in respect of economy and culture. Social Solidarity and Aid Foundation finally gave the aid packages to 2,500 persons who are in need of that help. However, other people also wanted to get the aid.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    EU AGAIN LISTS MANY CONDITIONS FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP
    Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, announced annual progress report pertaining to 13 countries. The report claimed the inadequacy of human rights.

    The report, which praised the constitutional reforms, pointed out that, ''Copenhagen Criteria are still weak. Despite the transparency, the corruption is still a serious problem.''

    WE WANT TURKISH SOLDIERS
    Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who stopped by Turkey in his return from the U.S., met Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

    Musharraf said, ''the U.N. Peace Forces, including the Turkish soldiers, should come to Kabul till this Tuesday evening.'

    Musharraf said that the incidents in Afghanistan had changed rapidly in the last few days and noted that everybody should act more rapidly to ensure peace and stability in that country.

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    IMF'S ADDITIONAL SOURCE WILL BE MORE THAN 10 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
    The International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Juha Kahkonen, IMF's Turkey Desk Chief, completed the works of the 10th review, and announced that IMF would expend more than 10 billion U.S. dollars additional loan.

    The first loan would come in January, folowing the 3.1 billion U.S. dollars stand-by slice.

    YILMAZ: EU'S PROGRESS REPORT IS OBJECTIVE
    Mesut Yilmaz, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, evaluated the 2001 year Turkey Progress Report and strategy document regarded with enlargement.

    Yilmaz said that the EU progress report and strategy document was written with a careful style and it was based on objective information.

    Speaking at a press conference after the announcement of the progress report, Yilmaz said the report which was released by the EU commission today was constructive.

    Yilmaz said the report included a number of criticism about Turkey's human rights and democracy fields, stressing that Turkey must eliminate these shortcomings as soon as possible.

    [02] FM CEM SPEAKS AT U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL: ''TURKEY IS READY TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN''

    NEW YORK - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Tuesday that Turkey is ready to play a leading role in the international efforts related to the political formation in Afghanistan.

    Speaking at the U.N. Security Council, Cem said that Turkey is the friend of Afghan people, adding that Turkey is ready to get roles in political, humanitarian and military fields at the reconstruction stage of Afghanistan.

    ''The international society has to act immediately regarding Afghanistan. The Afghan identity has to be taken as the basis regarding the solution of the problem. The interests of the whole Afghan people and the stability of the region has to be taken into consideration in the solution. Groups which extend support to terrorism should be isolated. U.N. has to fulfil its task in the regions where the Taliban withdrew and it has to found an effective mechanism. A broad-based government carries great importance in the reconstruction of Afghanistan,'' Cem said in sum.

    The U.N. Security Council members, who took up the Afghanistan issue in an open meeting were very interested in Cem's speech.

    Diplomatic sources said that Cem's addressing both the General Assembly and the Security Council confirmed the significant role Turkey plays in Afghanistan problem.

    Cem has been the first Turkish foreign minister who addressed the Security Council after Hikmet Cetin who addressed the Council during Bosnian crisis in 1994.

    Meanwhile, Cem met with Cuban foreign minister Felipe Roque, Bahraini foreign minister Seyh Al-Halife, Uzbek foreign minister Aziz Kamilov and Albanian foreign minister Arta Dade within the framework of his bilateral contacts.

    [03] REAL SECTOR MEETING HELD AT TREASURY

    ANKARA - A meeting about the problems of the real sector was held at the Treasury on Tuesday evening.

    Finance Minister Sumer Oral, Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu, Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Ankara Trade Chamber (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun, Ankara Industry Chamber (ASO) Chairman Zafer Caglayan and a number of bureaucrats attended the meeting.

    The attendees decided to set up two commissions about inflation accounting and about the supervision of properties of persons.

    The commissions will be composed of officials from the Chambers Union and concerned ministries.

    TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu said in the meeting that there had to be certain amendments in the decree on appropriations, the Social Security Agency (SSK) premiums have to be decreased and the burdens on energy which increase the price should be lifted.

    Sources claimed that the ministers who attended the meeting asked for discussing these issues after the IMF delegation leaves Turkey. The ministers pointed out that meeting all of these demands would cause difficulty in implementation of the economic programme.

    Finance Minister Oral didn't welcome the proposal of decreasing Value Added Tax (VAT) in other product groups and he said that no further decrease in VAT was on the agenda noting that VAT was at the basis of tax incomes.

    [04] TURKISH EMBASSY IN LONDON SAYS IT WAS BALFOUR BEATTY'S COMMERCIAL PREFERENCE

    LONDON - Turkish Embassy in British capital London said on Tuesday that it was British civil engineering firm Balfour Beatty PLC's commercial preference to withdraw from the Swiss-led consortium which holds the contract to build the Ilisu dam on the Tigris.

    Releasing a statement, the Turkish Embassy in London said that Balfour Beettyhad taken a decision in line with its views and preferences as an institution of private sector.

    The statement stressed that Turkey attributed great importance to finalization the Ilisu Dam, an important part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP).

    Underlining importance of GAP in the fields of economy, energy and social life, the statement said that the residents in the region extended full support to the project.

    The statement noted that the GAP with its parts like the Ilisu Dam, aimed at increasing welfare in under-developed regions of Turkey, and rising living standards of local people.

    It said that the Ilisu Dam was planned to produce hydroelectric energy to meet Turkey's increasing energy requirement.

    The statement added that the Turkish government was determined to finalize this regional integration development project that would increase living standards of its citizens.

    [05] BRAHIMI PROPOSES MULTINATIONAL FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN FROM TURKISH, JORDANIAN AND EUROPEAN TROOPS

    NEW YORK - U.N. Representative to Afghanistan Lahdar Brahimi proposed sending a multinational force that includes troops from Turkey, Jordan and Europe to Afghanistan immediately to ensure the order in that country.

    Addressing the U.N. Security Council, Brahimi said that an ''all-Afghan'' security force can be founded to provide the security in Kabul, but he doubted such a force could be organized quickly. U.N. peacekeepers, he said, would also take too long.

    Instead Brahimi proposed a multinational force, which can be founded by Turkey, Jordan and European countries as this would be quicker.

    Brahimi also submitted the plan he prepared to bring order in Afghanistan after the collapse of the Taliban regime, to the Security Council members. According to this plan, a transitional government to last up to two years will be established and international support will be extended to this government.

    [06] TURKEY TO REOPEN ITS EMBASSY IN KABUL AND CONSULATE GENERAL IN MAZAR-I SHARIF

    ANKARA - Turkey will re-open its Embassy in Afghanistan and consulate general in Mazar-i Sharif.

    A Foreign Ministry statement noted on Wednesday that Turkey decided to open the embassy and consulate general in Afghanistan upon the recent developments in this country, and added that the necessary proceedings were started.

    [07] GAP'S EXPORT OF PISTACHIO INCREASES BY 954 PERCENT

    SANLIURFA - The pistachio export from the Southeast Anatolian Region (GAP) increased by 954 percent in the first ten months of this year when compared to the same period last year.

    The pistachio export in the first ten months of this year reached 9,9 million dollars.

    Germany, the U.S., Switzerland, Spain and France come the first among the countries which import the highest amount of pistachio from GAP.

    [08] REPORT ON U.S.-TURKEY RELATIONS AND WAR ON TERRORISM SAYS TURKEY FROZE BANK ACCOUNTS BELONGING TO ORGANIZATIONS LINKED TO AL QAEDA

    WASHINGTON D.C. - Steven Cook from the Washington D.C.-based think tank organization Brookings Institution said, ''in late October, Turkish authorities froze bank accounts belonging to organizations ostensibly devoted to Bosnian and Chechen charities, but have been linked to al Qaeda.''

    In his report on ''U.S.-Turkey Relations and the War on Terrorism'', Cook claimed that Turkey that had been extending support to the United States' fight against terrorism, froze bank accounts belonging to organizations ostensibly devoted to Bosnian and Chechen charities, but have been linked to al Qaeda, in late October.

    ''In the current undertaking against Afghanistan, Turkey has given U.S. forces overflight rights, meaning that Incirlik Air Base is being used to refuel U.S. military humanitarian aid flights on their return trips to Germany and as a hub for troops and equipment being transferred to Central Asia. The Turks have also provided airstrips in Malatya, Konya, and Izmir and port facilities at Antalya, Mersin, and Ceyhan for NATO,'' he said.

    Cook said, ''previously, the United Region Air Operation Headquarters in Eskisehir, which is a NATO center, was considered as a possible alternative command center to Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia due to Riyadh's reluctance to allow the United States to command the campaign against the Taliban and al Qaeda from the kingdom.''

    Noting that the United States and Turkey differed over Iraq, Cook said, ''Turkey fears the break-up of Iraq and the establishment of a Kurdish state in the northern third of the country. During Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit to Washington D.C. in the wake of the events of September 11, he implied that Turkey's support for U.S. military action could be withdrawn over the Iraq issue.''

    ''The Turks have not made any demands on the Bush administration in return fro their cooperation in fight against terrorism. Consequently, the Turks will likely expect more vigorous U.S. assistance in a number of areas including PKK terrorism, economic aid, military procurement, the European Security and Defense Initiative, the Cyprus situation, and European Union membership,'' he said.

    Cook added, ''it is unlikely that the U.S. position on Cyprus will change.''

    [09] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF KAHKONEN IN TOBB (1)

    ANKARA - International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, led by IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen, visited Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB).

    Kahkonen did not make a statement following the meeting.

    Meanwhile, Hisarciklioglu said with the IMF delegation they exchanged views about real economy.

    Hisarciklioglu said they conveyed the proposals to the IMF delegation, which they carried out with the government since October 22, about the revival of real sector.

    He said, ''it was a fruitful meeting. Kahkonen is insistent on primary surplus. However, they pointed out that they would not intervene in issues apart from this.''

    [10] FOREIGN POLICY MEETING IN PRIME MINISTRY

    ANKARA - A foreign policy meeting, having ''narrow scope'' takes place on Wednesday under the leadership of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

    Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal; Gen. Koksal Karabay, the Military Chief Consultant of Prime Minister; and Middle East Department Chairman Turkekul Kurttekin attended the meeting.

    Developments recorded following the U.S. operation on Afghanistan are expected to be discussed at the meeting.

    [11] DENKTAS SENDS SECOND LETTER TO CLERIDES

    LEFKOSA - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) wrote another letter to Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and reiterated his proposal to meet face to face.

    Denktas sent the letter by U.N. to Clerides on Tuesday morning without his title just like the case in his first letter.

    TRNC President Denktas said in the letter that he was worried about the developments in Cyprus and that a face to face meeting would be better and called Clerides to review the situation and take into consideration his call.

    Denktas sent a letter to Clerides last week and invited him to meet face to face. Clerides said in the letter he sent to Denktas as a response that if Denktas accepts to attend the Cyprus negotiations supervised by U.N., they could meet face to face in Lefkosa.

    TRNC President Denktas criticized Clerides's accepting the meeting on condition, noting that his letter didn't have any conditions, but Clerides had conditions in his letter.

    [12] IMF TURKEY DESK CHIEF KAHKONEN VISITS TOBB (2)

    ANKARA - Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu, the Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) said on Wednesday that ''IMF Turkey Desk Chief Kahkonen does not have a proposal to Turkey urging it to increase taxes or to decrease taxes other than asking the country to give non-interest budget surplus.

    Responding to questions of journalists after meeting with Kahkonen, Hisarcıklıoglu said that the IMF delegation takes up the issue at macroeconomic level, adding that the IMF thinks that the budget has to give non-interest surplus.

    Upon a question, Hisarcıklıoglu said that the issue of dismissing people from public sector was not discussed in the meeting, but they discussed the issue of making the state structure smaller.

    When asked if he received a signal from TOBB about Turkey's getting additional loan, TOBB Chairman said that ''I suppose it will be positive.''

    Hisarcıklıoglu said that the package about solution of real sector's problems will be anounced on November 30 and also the meetings with IMF will finish by that date.

    Hisarcıklıoglu said that issues such as ''budget, economy administration has priority in respect of Turkey's interests.''

    When asked if the inflation accounting would cause loss in incomes, TOBB Chairman said that on the contary the income will increase and the taxes will be fairer.

    He added that TOBB agreees with majority of the issues covered by the package prepared to solve the real sector's problems.

    [13] DENKTAS SAYS HE IS INSISTING ON MEETING WITH CLERIDES

    LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas has said that they wanted peace in Cyprus but the Greek Cypriots' policy is drifting Turkish-Greek relations to a crisis. He said he wanted to have a face to face meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides in order to explain to him the dangers of their policy.

    Denktas read out a celebration message on TRNC's Bayrak Radio and Television on the 18th foundation anniversary of the TRNC.

    In his message Denktas repeated his call to Clerides for a meeting. ''I am insisting on meeting with Clerides because things are not going in a good direction,'' Denktas said, adding that Clerides has no right to lead Cyprus to a new disaster.

    The TRNC president indicated that the Turkish Cypriots were willing to do their best to turn the island to a bridge of peace between Turkey and Greece, based on the partnership, equality and sovereignty principles. He stressed that they cannot give up their freedom, sovereignty and Turkey's rights over Cyprus.

    Denktas called on Turkish Cypriots to think about a number of questions such as ''How was the TRNC founded'' and ''What would happen if they give up their state or turn this to a bargaining issue''. Denktas said all the states in the world work to offer a better life to its citizens, to develop economy, to form good relations with its neighbors and all states would not give up their national principles.

    Speaking about his call for a meeting with Clerides, Denktas said his invitation was supported and praised by Turkish Cypriots since now, and they now can understand if the Greek Cypriots really want to reach an agreement.

    ''The Greek Cypriot Administration is walking on a dangerous road believing that it has the whole island and it intensified its efforts. We want them to steer to the right way. I want to discuss what the right road is with Clerides. In order to discuss this, we have to first understand why the Cyprus issue started in 1963. They cannot fool the world by saying that the Cyprus conflict started with the occupation in 1974 and the immigrants should be able to go back to their old places. This is a very open and clear matter. The Greek Cypriot side destroyed the partneship Republic we founded with them. They opened war against us in 1963 and they continued this war for 11 years by uniting with Greece, but they couldn't win it. The resistance of our nation, its faithfulness to Turkey and strong belief helped us reach success.''

    ''In 1974, Greece tried one more time. Blood was shed and hundreds of people died but they again failed. Turkey came and made a ceasefire agreement about the current border. Why couldn't we so far agree with them? Because the Greek Cypriot side is trying to deceive the world through its propagandas and making calculations about joining the EU.''

    Denktas said that those who called the Greek Cypriots as ''government of Cyprus'' removed the opportunity for Greek Cypriots' compromise and went on saying, ''they declared a war to convert Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot republic. They could not win this war. They excluded their partners and caused the foundation of two separate states. We can reach a compromise between two states. You should understand that you are not our government and do not have the right to be our government.''

    What the Greek Cypriots was trying to do on the table was to turn Turkish Cypriots into a minority by making the world accept them as legal government of Cyprus, Denktas pointed out.

    Denktas noted that the Greek Cypriots were doing the same trick for years and that they wanted to bind Turkish Cypriots to a place by the rights they would grant on the paper and expel Turkish Cypriots from Cyprus again within three or five years.

    Turkish Cypriots do not want a possible agreement to give that opportunity to the Greek Cypriots, Denktas stressed.

    Denktas stated that they wanted good neighbourhood, peace and a new partnership, but that they did not want a partnership on a paper.

    They wanted a partnership based on the principle of existence of two states on the island, Denktas said.

    Denktas noted that the jurists permitted that demand and went on saying, ''if we are to approach to federation in the future, the solution is confederation. We have discussed federation for years but we could not reach a result. Because, they give priority to possessing whole of Cyprus under the pseudo title of 'government of Cyprus Republic.' Let's all say them that this is not possible. Let's all say that we will not abandon our state.''

    ''A youngster cannot be said 'you have not born' as he or she reaches the age of 18. Those who tell a state which is celebrating its 18th anniversary of foundation that 'you are not a state' cannot be right. We do exist and we can give a new shape to Cyprus as two old partners and two neighbouring states. And, this shape will not harm the Greek Cypriots. Nor harm any others. It will be beneficial for both sides. The doors of the European Union can be opened to whole of Cyprus if we agree. But, we will not give up our legal rights and rights given to us and Turkey under international agreements when opening this door,'' Denktas said.

    Denktas said that the most famous lawyers of Europe stressed that and that it was time for Turkish Cypriot lawyers to handle these issues and discuss them with their counterparts.

    Everybody undertook duties and responsibilities because the struggle for freedom continued and because Turkish Cypriots were downgraded to the position of a minority in a Greek Cyriot republic without giving it a name, Denktas noted.

    Denktas pointed out that the Greek Cypriots were behaving slyly and said, ''to this end, let's be aware of the intrigues around us and get prepared for them.''

    ''I am suggesting Clerides to become good friends, good partners and telling him to let everybody to live in his or her own territory. Our position will not harm the Greek Cypriots. The position of the Greek Cypriots alleging that 'they are the legal government of whole Cyprus' and their policies are an ongoing threat for us. Their continuing armament when I am saying this, is the most clear indicator of what they will do if they enter into the European Union,'' Denktas said.

    Denktas noted that he was saying all these by reading and examining documents day and night and said that every invitation for sitting at the table was not sincere.

    They explained many realities to the world by not sitting at the table, Denktas said.

    Denktas concluded, ''let's know our case and let's inform the young people about these realities. Free people and sovereign people cannot give up their sovereignty and freedom.''

    [14] GERMAN TO PROVIDE TURKEY 25 MILLION MARK SUBSIDY CREDIT AND 45 MILLION MARK DONATION

    ANKARA - German Federal Government will provide Turkey 25 million Marks of subsidy credit and 45 million Marks of donation in order to make improvements in Turkey's infrastructure.

    German Embassy in Ankara made a statement on Wednesday and indicated that Turkish-German Economic Cooperation Talks took place in Ankara on Nov. 7-9.

    ''The German Federal Government will provide Turkey a subsidy credit of 25 million German Marks and a donation of 45 million Marks. The funds will be used to finance infrastructure projects and also to make people who work in these projects more qualified. Joint financing with European Investment Bank is also foreseen,'' the German Embassy said.

    Besides, a series of credits totalling up to 42 million Marks will be formed in order to support small and medium scale companies which is an important sector for the economy.

    Since 1958, German Federal Government provided Turkey a total of 8 billion Marks, including donations and subsidy credits, as part of the Turkish- German economic cooperation.

    [15] YILMAZ: ''THOSE WHO HAVE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK WELL, WILL NATURALLY HAVE GOOD REPORT CARDS''

    ANKARA - Speaking about the Progress Report released by the European Commission about Turkey on Tuesday, Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has said ''The countries which did their homework well should of course have good report cards.''

    Speaking at ANAP's parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday, Yilmaz said the Progress Report was positive in general.

    ''I have full belief that our Parliament will be very careful about the adjustment laws. The significant changes were made and Parliament's efforts are making us look into the future with hope. Therefore, we believe that Interparties Compromise Commission will take big steps for a series of constitutional amendments. I would like to underline an important point about Turkey's adjustment to the EU. The Progress Report which was announced yesterday is like a report card for candidate countries. Those who did their homeworks well should naturally get good report cards. This is as valid for us as it is for other countries.''

    ''If we fail to take certain steps or leave certain areas incomplete, of course we'll face criticism. Accession Partnership Accord lists Turkey's homeworks. Turkey, in its National Program, stated that it will eliminate its discrepancies,'' he said.

    Yilmaz said that noone has the right to boast about the progress made, since this wouldn't mean anything other than ''making Turkish propaganda by Turks to the Turks'' as author Cetin Altan once said. Yilmaz emphasized that Turkey must take the necessary steps as soon as possible and then go and knock on Europe's door.

    [16] CAKMAKOGLU: 'TURKEY COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A PEACE FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN''

    ANKARA - National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu has said that Turkey could contribute to a possible peace force in Afghanistan. ''However, this should be within the U.N. Security Council decisions and our allies should also take part in it,'' Cakmakoglu commented.

    Cakmakoglu received Gagauz Anonymous Republic Interior Minister Fodor Gagovuz on Wednesday who expressed gratitude for the aids they received from Turkey last year.

    After the meeting, Cakmakoglu who answered reporters' questions, said Turkey could contribute to a multi-national peace force that will be formed in Afghanistan but it expected some of its allies also to take part in this formation.

    [17] DYP LEADER CILLER CLAIMS ECEVIT IS TO OFFER CYPRUS TO GREEK CYPRIOTS IN A GOLDEN TRAY DUE TO ADMINISTRATION VACUUM

    ANKARA - True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller claimed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was to offer Cyprus to Greek Cypriots in a golden tray due to administration vacuum.

    Speaking at the group meeting of her party, Ciller said that this was a diplomatic scandal.

    Ciller noted that the status which was established in Cyprus at the cost of the lives of thousands of soldiers was facing a series threat today.

    Claiming that the progress report of the European Union (EU) for Turkey gave the signs regarding this issue, Ciller said, ''the invoice that Yilmaz- Ecevit couple and Mr.Bahceli, who submitted to everything that this couple is doing silently, put forward in front of Turkish nation and history, has been Cyprus.''

    Stressing that the history, de facto situation, and international agreements confirmed Turkey's thesis, Ciller said, ''despite all these, you will progress step by step in the path to lose Cyprus at the table. It seems that relationship of Foreign Minister with his Greek counterpart did not help anything other than harming the backbone of Turkish foreign policy. Although it could be seen years ago that the matter would reach to this point, Mr. Cem who has made Turkish foreign policy did sirtaki (a Greek traditional dance) in Salonica now tells us that Turkey should venture paying heavy costs.''

    A Turkey, which had been talking about forcing others to pay the costs, was turned into a Turkey, which was talking about paying the costs by itself, Ciller said.

    Ciller continued, ''this means that 'do not intend to beat me, otherwise I will commit suicide.' Only Mr. Ecevit will think of a Greece or a European Union (EU) which will be feared of Turkey's hurting itself. Those who said that they closed the European page when they came to power in 1997 left Europe firstly to terrorist organization PKK, then to Armenian lobby and to Greek Cypriot administration and Greece in the end.''

    ''Turkey was sentenced in European documents in each of the three issues. If you are saying today that 'we will give up EU if you accept the Greek Cypriot administration as a member', this does not have any other meaning than submitting to the Greek Cypriot-Greek perspective. Nobody will care. You isolate yourself from Europe by yourself. You give up all your cards in advance,'' Ciller said.

    Ciller noted that Turkey should give up neither Cyprus nor EU and said, ''a big Turkey should fulfil both of them.''

    Ciller criticized the demands from Turkey to abolish capital punishment for everybody, including the terrorists, without any exceptions in a period when it was accepted that all terrorists, including Osama bin Laden, should be punished in the places where they were captured.

    ''After all these, it is a big negligence and unwariness for Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz for relations with the European Union to say that the European Union was right about its comments listed in the report if it is not a political or a diplomatic scandal,'' Ciler added.


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