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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-11-28Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>Anadolu AgencyANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 28 NOVEMBER 2001Wednesday CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 28, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)SEAMAS GLINN SAYS TURKEY WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT STATUS IN WORLD TOURISMSeamas Glinn, Director General of Sunworld-JMC in Britain which is one of the leading tour operators in the world, said that Turkey would have a significant status in world tourism soon. Glinn noted that the world understood Turkey better after September 11 attacks, adding that millions of tourists could visit Turkey by an effective promotion. DENKTAS SAYS TURKISH BUSINESSMEN CANNOT SEE THE FUTURE MILLIYET (LIBERAL)BENDIT: ''TURKEY'S ANNEXATION OF CYPRUS MEANS ANNEXATION OF PART OFEUROPEAN LAND'' European Union (EU) Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission Cochairman Daniel Cohn-Bendit has claimed that Turkey's annexation of Cyprus would be the same with its annexation of a part of a European land. Bendit, who is visiting Turkey to attend EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission meetings, said that Turkish-EU relations would come to a halt if Turkey annexes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). ''The membership of Cyprus is one of the priorities of EU expansion. Cyprus should join the EU as a whole, '' he said. TORRENTIAL RAINS EXPECTED AS OF TOMORROW NIGHT SABAH (LIBERAL)BELGIAN PRIME MINISTER COMES TO ANKARA TO CONVINCE TURKISH GOVERNMENTAfter the meeting of U.S., British and Turkish diplomats regarding the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) yielded no results in Ankara, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt took a sudden decision to visit Ankara after meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Sources at Belgian Prime Ministry stated that Verhofstadt came to Ankara to convince the Turkish government who has not made any concessions regarding the ESDP during the meetings. TURKEY RESTATES SUPPORT FOR TRNC CUMHURIYET (LEFT)ERDAL INONU:''I CANNOT BECOME A PARTY LEADER AT THIS AGE''Prof. Erdal Inonu has announced that he would not take part in the administration of the party whose foundation preparations have been continuing for a long time. Inonu said that people were expecting to hear new names. ''People should no longer regard me as a political party leader. It wouldn't be right for me to take part in the party administration at this age,'' Inonu commented. YOK INSTRUCTS UNIVERSITIES TO PUNISH STUDENTS WHO DEMAND EDUCATION IN RADIKAL (LEFT)SALARIES OF TURKISH PROFESSORS ARE ONE FIFTH OF WORLD STANDARDSThe salaries of college professors in Turkey are only one fourth or one fifth of world standards. Teachers' in certain countries are paid as much ''high level scientists'' in Turkey. Professors' salaries have recently become 754 million TL while research assistants receive 315 million TL. Professors' salaries were equal to 1000 U.S. dollars before the economic crisis and now it is only 500 U.S. A report that was presented to the Higher Education Board (YOK) stated that the brain drain cannot be prevented unless the academicians are paid better. TENSION ESCALATES BETWEEN DENKTAS AND TUSIAD CHAIRMAN OZILHAN TURKIYE (RIGHT)QUAKE IN SIVEREK MEASURING 4.1 ON RICHTER SCALEThe earthquake which jolted on Tuesday Siverek township of southeastern province of Sanliurfa was measuring 4.1 on the Richter Scale. The quake was felt in Sanliurfa and its neighbourhood. The earthquake sent residents of Siverek township out to the streets in panic while there were not any report of casualties. SALES DAYS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)SOLUTION UNPREVENTABLE IN CYPRUSTurkey, which is caught between Cyprus and the European Union, is being pressured from both sides more and more each day. Experts, despite the rising tension, are saying that a solution would be found to the Cyprus conflict through increasing diplomatic efforts. Both Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem had recently said that ''Turkey is ready to pay any cost for Cyprus''. Following these statements, Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan had said that Turkey should not risk its EU membership because of the Cyprus issue, bringing a new dimension to the debates. -CAKMAKOGLU:''TURKEY DOESN'T WANT AN OPERATION IN IRAQ, BUT When asked to clarify the ''new conditions'', Cakmakoglu said ''this is a general statement I made and it isn't based on any specific information.'' Responding to another question, Cakmakoglu said the contacts regarding the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) were still continuing but it was too early to say something. ''There is a progress, but it's not sufficient,'' the defense minister said. He pointed out that the issue of the Turkish soldiers who will be sent to Afghanistan was not related to the ESDP and this issue only depended on the new administration that will be formed in Afghanistan. ''We had planned to take part in the founding of the new administration after security and peace is maintained in this country and we still support this view,'' Cakmakoglu said. -TOBB TO OPERATE IPSALA BORDER GATE FOR 10 YEARS The contract foresees reconstruction of Ipsala Border Gate by TOBB in one year and operation of the border gate by TOBB for ten years beginning as of 2002. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Customs Undersecretary Nevzat Saygilioglu said that a similar contract would be signed with the Association International Transporters (AIT) for Gurbulak Border Gate on Thursday. Saygilioglu added that TOBB would also operate cafe, freeshop and other social facilities in the Ipsala Border Gate. TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that Ipsala Border Gate's importance had increased especially after Customs Union deal with the European Union (EU), and that increase in quality of services at the Ipsala Border Gate had become an obligation. -INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN SAYS CYPRUS ISSUE CAN NEVER BE AN ISSUE OF Responding to questions of journalists in the International Police Profession Ethics Symposium, Yucelen said that Turkey took the necessary initiatives to join the EU and it adopted the laws of harmony to abide by the EU legislation. ''Just like the EU has conditions, Turkey has its own principles. Other countries which joined the EU didn't have to give certain concessions. No imposition was put on other EU countries to help in the solution of Cyprus question. We must continue to do the things that are necessary for us. Cyprus issue is our national cause, it is a national state policy. All ministers think in the same way regarding the Cyprus question,'' Yucelen said. Noting that Turkey has always stressed that it favours solution of the Cyprus question, Yucelen said that ''we must know the fact that just like Turkey needs to join the EU, EU needs Turkey. Please consider that the things promised to be done by the government in its national programme will serve the people of the country.'' -PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS TURKEY WILL CONTINUE ITS SOLIDARITY A statement of the Presidential Press Center said that Sezer sent a message to Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People President Pope Louis Fall upon the November 29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The statement said that Sezer once more reiterated Turkish country's and people's support to the rightful case of the Palestinian people. Sezer noted that the world was experiencing a very sensitive period and that to this end, restoration of lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East was more important and urgent than ever. That the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people were taken from their hands was the root of the Middle East problem, Sezer said. Sezer stated, ''Palestinian's becoming a sovereign and equal member in the community of nations will contribute to stability in whole Middle East and offer new economic and social possibilities to all regional nations.'' They appreciated the efforts of the committee to this end, Sezer stressed. Sezer continued, ''Turkish nation shares the problems which their Palestinian brothers have faced and which have reached unendurable situation and makes all financial and morale contributions to end this agony. It is obvious that the pressure and siege towards Palestinian people do not bring security and peace to Israel. It should be understood that the way to security is peace, not the way to peace is security in the Middle East.'' ''Today's atmosphere of violence only serves those who are against the peace. And to this end, we believe that not only Palestinian but also Israeli administrations undertake a historic responsibility to put an end to the status quo and to reach a rightful solution. Turkey considers return of the sides to the negotiation table as the only solution to reach a comprehensive agreement that can enable Palestine and Israel to live beside each other in mutually acknowledged borders. The Mitchell Committee Report proposals which will be put into practice on the basis of the principle 'soil in return for peace' lay the necessary groundwork for negotiations,'' Sezer said. Sezer added, ''Mr.President, I would like to assure you that we will continue our solidarity with the Palestinian people in a determined way. I would like to express my sincere wishes and support for the conclusion of the rightful case of the Palestinians in success.'' -TOURISM EMPLOYEES TO LOBBY FOR TURKEY IN EUROPE Orhan Sanus, the General Director of Lutfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition Hall, told A.A correspondent on Wednesday that international congress and company meetings had been cancelled and especially passenger boat tourism had been negatively affected following the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States. Sanus said, ''as the Americans take their hands from the market, whole world has been affected. Istanbul has had great deal of loss especially in passenger boat tourism. The customers who used to stay in five-star hotels were the rich American people coming to Istanbul by passenger boats. The boats which used to bring 2-3 thousand Americans are now bringing 50-60 people. Also, there has been a significant loss in congress tourism. Company meetings have decreased at a great extent after September 11.'' They thought to launch initiatives in Europe because they did not have expectations from the United States in the short term, Sanus noted. Sanus stated that they could make business contacts in Europe in the following five or six months. They had prepared an action plan regarding Europe, Sanus said and pointed out that they had formed a lobby group comprised of 35-40 people and named it ''Istanbul Forum.'' Sanus stated that the group was comprised of the representatives of Lutfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition Hall, five-star hotels and leading travelling agencies. They had chosen Paris, London, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Milano, Amsterdam and Brussels as their main targets, Sanus said. Sanus continued, ''we have divided the forum into groups of 3-4 people and charged each group to lobby in one of the above mentioned cities. Every group will introduce and promote Turkey to the leading press organizations, writers and magazine representatives of the country. We will lobby to show what kind of places Turkey and Istanbul are, how much far away they are from the war and how much safe they are through press. We will start our efforts in December and January.'' Stressing that Istanbul was a part of Europe with its infrastructure and security, Sanus said that the meetings to be held in Europe could be held in Istanbul in safety. Sanus noted, ''our main aim is not to lose the current reservations made for 2002, irrespective of whether they are congress or company meetings or individual tours. Our second aim is to attract new meeting groups, congresses and tours. After we establish a bridge between Istanbul and the above mentioned ten cities, we can organize a Turkish Week or a fashion show as a second step.'' Giving information about organizations in Lutfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition Hall, Sanus said that an international congress of 6 thousand people and a company meeting of 3 thousand people were cancelled after September 11th terrorist attacks. Sanus noted that a meeting of 2 thousand people was postponed to January 2003. ''If cancellations continue in 2002, there will be too much financial loss. 12-13 international congresses have been booked for 2002. There is not any negative development regarding these congresses. But, we will see whether or not there will be cancellations in the new year,'' Sanus added. -PRESIDENT SEZER PARTIALLY RETURNS LAW THAT AMENDS DGM LAW The law also foresaw an amendment in the law on fight against organized crime gangs. A statement of Presidential Press Center said that the president returned the first, second and third articles of the law and the provisional first article to the parliament for a second discussion. The statement noted that the president returned these articles to the parliament requesting it to review them under the Constitution. -STATE MINISTER GUREL SAYS EU IGNORES EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE Gurel who came to the Netherlands to participate in the Sixth International Metropolises Conference, visited the same day Asser Institute which is an expert institution in international law and EU issues. Giving information to the Institute's officials about the relations of Turkey with the EU and Cyprus issue, Gurel said that the problems in Cyprus didn't start with the intervention of the Turkish Army in the island. Gurel stressed that if the EU accepts the Greek Cypriot side as a full member without waiting for the solution of the Cyprus question, this will be very wrong, adding that the legal ground of this membership has to be evaluated well. Gurel said that the Greek Cypriot side's joining the EU will strike a heavy blow on the searches for solution of the issue and cause instability in the region, adding that Turkey exerts great efforts to fulfil its obligations to become a EU full member. Yet the EU does not launch the same efforts, Gurel said. Gurel said that he had the impression that Asser Institute takes up the problems in an objective way, adding that Turkey can request to benefit from the views of this institution if necessary in the future. -TURKISH AND GREEK NGOS DECIDE TO COOPERATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES A statement of the Turkish Foundation To Combat Erosion For Reforsetation and For the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA) said on Wednesday that the organizations from Turkey and Greece decided to make environmental cooperation during the Turkish-Greek NGO Conference held in Athens by the Greek National Environment and Sustainable Development Center. The statement noted that 12 Turkish NGOs attended the conference held between November 23-25 and that the conference was an important platform in which environmental problems of the two countries were discussed. During the conference, it was stated that environment was a universal issue beyond politics and races and that a clean environment was an important part of life quality not a luxury, the statement said. The statement pointed out that it was stressed during the conference that Turkey and Greece were facing similar environmental problems due to their similar geographical and climate conditions like desertification, forest fries, extreme and false settlement in coasts. The key environmental problems on which NGOs of two countries could cooperate were set during the conference, the statement said. The statement noted that the NGOs decided to launch a joint fight against desertification, erosion, fishery, climate change, carbon emission, industrial pollution, tourism and coastal area management and energy. Turkish and Greek NGOs decided to set up a secretariat and to organize a more comprehensive NGO meeting in Turkey, the statement added. -TURKEY'S NATO PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OYMEN: ''WE HAVE ALWAYS SEEN EU Oymen, who spoke at an international conference on ''EU-NATO cooperation and participation of third countries in European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP)'' held in Ankara by Middle East Technical University European Studies Center, London International Strategic Researches Institute and Bertelsmann Foundation, gave information about Turkey's attitude towards ESDP. Onur Oymen said, ''because, one member is against us. Who can guarantee that this will not happen in ESDP?'' Inclusion of non-EU countries in decision making mechanism of ESDP and their participation in possible operations should not be subject to invitation, Oymen stressed. Oymen noted that Turkey could develop ''new ideas'' in the direction of the developments that could occur. New remedies and solutions could be found and alternative searches could be made for the security of not only Turkey but also other non-EU member countries, Oymen drew the attention. Oymen said that in case EU's views about ESDP were insufficient, EU should be ready to debate the issue. Touching on the importance of Turkey's geopolitical location, Oymen reminded the listeners about the crisis that occured in Bulgaria in 1980s and in the Gulf region in 1991 and said that Turkey was affected by refugee inflows and financial losses caused by the crises. Oymen noted that Turkey had to pay heavy costs for an intervention pioneered by EU to crises that occur in its neighbours and asked if the EU was ready to face new developments following a similar crisis. The participation in EU operations should not be subject to invitation, Oymen reiterated and said that the admission of the Greek Cypriot administration to the EU would cause new problems in that sense. Oymen said, ''we are talking about the realities that we have lived not about the issues based on hypotheses. We are thinking about the worst scenarios that can happen in the future. They are asking us whether we do not trust them. Of course, we trust them. But, we have always seen EU as a whole against Turkey in issues like Cyprus, Aegean and continental shelf. Because one member is against us. Who can guarantee that this will not happen in ESDP? You say that you promise. You had promised in the past but how can we know whether or not you will keep your word?'' Pointing out that EU protected its members against the non-EU member countries, Oymen said that the fact that whether ESDP was developed for EU countries or for Europe's security should be made clear. -PRESIDENT SEZER PARTIALLY RETURNS LAW THAT AMENDS DGM LAW (2) Presidential Press Center said that the president returned the first, second and third articles of the law and the provisional first article to the parliament for a second discussion. Article 1 of the law takes out the tasks of examining the crimes of ''forming an organization to commit crime'' and ''helping and abetting these organizations'' from the tasks of State Security Court (DGM). President Sezer said in his reasoned verdict that ''taking out the cases related to these crimes from the cases to be heard by DGMs due to the heavy schedule of the latter, can't be regarded as right, because the schedule of the other judiciary organs is not less than those of DGMs. It is also for sure that the heavy burden on the DGMs can be lessened by opening new courts. The existence of illegal organizations which act against the secular state order is an undeniable reality and it is also a fact that certain organizations and their cases for instance the case known as 'Susurluk Case' by the public opinion, closely and directly concerns the internal security of the state and the public opinion. Activities listed above are closely related with the basic principles of the democratic republic known as secularism, public order and internal security which are tried to be protected by special courts like DGMs. Those who commit these crimes should be tried under the DGMs as this is foreseen by Article 143 of the Constitution.'' President Ahmet Necdet Sezer also returned back Article 2 of the law which made the custody period foreseen for those who form organizations to commit crime and who help and abet with these organizations, in line with the general provisions by taking them out from the scope of custody periods foreesen by DGMs. President Sezer said that ''the terrorist attacks launched in the U.S. on September 11 led all the world to make new descriptions about international terrorism, to bring new regulations in the fight with terrorism and to accept the most important threat against world order in the new age of information and technology.'' ''Besides the implementation of Article 104 of the Law on Code of Criminal Procedure No. 1412 with its former form rather than its amended form by the Law No. 3842 is directly concerned with the state security. The special position given to state security by international rules is important for showing the sensitivity of liberal democracies. Thus, while defending liberal democratic regime on the one hand, it won't be a contradiction to be sensitive about state security. Moreover, the implementation of Article 104 of the Law No. 1412 in a different formation, will weaken the fight with corruption. In this respect, the amendment foreseen on the law No. 4719 by the Article 2 has to be re-evaluated as it can have negative effects on the fight with terrorism and state security,'' Sezer said. Sezer also returned back the third article of the law which wants to dismiss the crimes of emptying the banks' coffers from the scope of DGMs. President Sezer said that ''the relations between persons who found illegal organizations are very complicated and difficult to prove as they use modern technological devices. Thus, special rules of procedures are needed to bring out the mentioned relations. Besides the relations of criminal groups are not always carried out by using force. There is reciprocal cooperation and interests between these groups.'' President Sezer also returned back the provisional article of the law that concern the transfer of files in DGMs. Sezer said as a reason of returning back this provisional article by saying that ''certain cases pending before DGMs have created great sensitivity in the public opinion which seeks for clean society; thus, the transfer of these files to other courts will hurt the conscience of the public opinion, overshadow the principle of legal state and decrease the trust for the state and judiciary.'' (END) -ERIS SAYS TURKEY DOES NOT HAVE QUESTION LIKE 'EITHER EU OR CYPRUS' Eris answered questions of reporters about Cyprus issue during elections at the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO). When asked how he evaluated attitude of the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD), Eris said that Turkey's interests and position should be explained in the best way instead of a quarrel on this matter. Noting that he was sure that both President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the TUSIAD were in favor of Turkey's interests, Eris said, ''I believe that Turkey does not have a question like 'either EU or Cyprus'. For Turkey, the EU is a target which it can't give up. Similarly, Cyprus is an issue which Turkey can't give up. I believe that these two can be carried out together. Turkey's most important target should be continuing this approach and carrying out implementations which will pave the way for its EU membership. This will at the same time constitute guarantee for Cyprus.'' When asked what the moderate way could be, Eris said, ''Turkey becomes EU full member. And by solving its problems, Cyprus takes its place in the EU to which Turkey has full membership. Maybe, the moderate way is the only way.'' When recalled of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chairman Daniel Cohn-Bendit's statement in which he had accused Turkey of being invader and when asked of his opinions about the Cyprus summit meeting on December 4, Eris said that Bendit was not the person expressing EU's strategy. ''The meeting on December 4 is not a meeting of the EU, so the EU cannot make impositions. However, the EU should make a contribution before December 4 by announcing that the southern Cyprus' membership is out of question before a solution to the Cyprus question. This is the thing expected from the EU,'' he said. -TURKEY'S REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO SAYS MOST IMPORTANT Oymen, who spoke at an international conference on ''EU-NATO cooperation and participation of third countries in European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP)'' held in Ankara by Middle East Technical University European Studies Center, London International Strategic Researches Institute and Bertelsmann Foundation, gave information about Turkey's views regarding ESDP. Onur Oymen gave examples of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Macedonia and said that they should derive the view from those experiences that the most important element for Europe's common security was taking action in solidarity and unity. Thus, any crisis that occured in or around Europe could be intervened and the problem could be solved, Oymen noted. But, he said, there had not been any ''magical formula'' at the moment. Oymen stated that Turkey actively took part in the ''Europe's Security of the Europeans'' especially in 1990s and that Turkey also joined peace keeping efforts in many places including the Balkans to help the restoration of peace and stability. Reminding the listeners that Turkey approached positively to the decision taken at the 1999 Washington Summit for the formation and development of ESDP, Oymen said, ''who can say that Turkey is against ESDP and European security under the light of these developments?'' Drawing the attention that Turkey was situated in a risky area due to its position, Oymen said that recent developments in the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East and Iraq had economic, political, social and military effects on Turkey. Security issue was a real concern for Turkey, Oymen said and underlined that Turkey wanted to take part in the decision making mechanism of ESDP for its national security interests. Oymen pointed out that Turkey was not against ESDP but it would contribute to that formation, adding that efforts to find a solution to that matter would continue. Noting that the experiences gained in the Balkans revealed the necessity that security relations among the allies should be planned carefully, Oymen said, ''ESDP is a golden opportunity to ensure Europe's Security of the Europeans.'' Oymen stressed that despite this, there were question marks about whether ESDP would be formed for only EU members or for Europe. ESDP was European just for the name, Oymen said and noted that the restrictions that the EU made in ESDP was the evidence of this. Oymen said that exclusion of non-EU member countries in the decision making mechanism and the efforts not to invite them to the operations were just excuses to prevent the contributions and participation of those countries in ESDP. They accepted that ESDP was an EU project, Oymen noted, but, he said, ''if ESDP is to be European in the real sense, non-EU member countries should also join the process and take part in the decision making mechanisms when necessary.'' Oymen said that security issue was ''indivisible'' for Turkey and drew the attention that in case ESDP did not give any opportunity for non-EU member countries, there would unavoidably be new searches. Noting that such a situation would ''not be for the benefit of European security'', Oymen said that ESDP talks should be continued to reach a compromise. Sources said that progress had been recorded in initiatives exerted to reach a compromise regarding ESDP and noted that it was early to say that the problems had been solved. The solution depended on how much ready the EU was for Turkey's real security interests, sources stated and said that the continuation of the talks was a positive sign. -FM SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ SAYS NO FINAL DECISION WAS TAKEN Upon a question of a reporter in the weekly news conference, Dirioz said that they exchanged views about the important issues that concern Turkey before Laeken summit that will be held in Belgium, with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt who visited Turkey yesterday. Dirioz said that Belgian prime minister's visit to Turkey showed the importance attributed to the consultations with Turkey in preparation of Laeken summit, adding that ''we took up certain issues with Belgian Prime Minister yesterday. A general evaluation was made on the negotiations held about European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Turkey's position on the issue was explained. Progress was recorded in the earlier negotiations, but no final result was taken. Therefore, there are certain points on which progress has to be recorded. We agree that the coming contacts and studies on the issue to continue with a positive understanding.'' Dirioz said that the issue of European Convention was also taken up during Verhofstadt's visit to Turkey, adding that ''he told us that no final decision was taken about the participation of EU candidate countries in the Convention, but he added that Belgium, as the EU Term President supports the participation of Turkey in the Convention.'' Dirioz said that they also took up the issue of EU enlargement, adding that ''we focused on the importance of constitutional amendments and on the progress recorded. We also focused on the importance of the meeting to be held between Denktas and Clerides. We also took up issues of terrorism. We explained our sensitivity on the issue and we reiterated our demand about the list to be prepared about terrorist organizations.'' -FM SPOKESMAN DIRIOZ SAYS ILKIN AND OZSOY HAVE Upon a question in the weekly news conference, Dirioz said that Ilkin and Ozsoy met with concerned deputy ministers and Afghanistan coordinators in Iran and Pakistan. ''Ilkin and Ozsoy listened to the views of concerned officials there. Both countries are neighbours of Afghanistan and they are interested in issues that concern Afghanistan. Thus, that exchange of view was very important. Such kind of exchange of views continues in the meeting held in Bonn between Afghan groups under the supervision of U.N.,'' he said. Noting that Foreign Ministry Special Coordinator and Deputy Undersecretary Aydemir Erman participated in the opening of the meeting in Bonn as observer, Dirioz said that ''observers have the opportunity to meet with each other and with Afghan groups when necessary.'' Dirioz noted that Erman met with representatives of both Pakistan and Iran in the meeting; adding that ''in addition to his other contacts, Erman also met with Mr. Brahimi, the representative of U.N. Secretary General and Dobbins, the U.S. representative.'' Upon another question, Dirioz said that the schedule of TRNC President Rauf Denktas in Italy continued in the way as it was foreseen.
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