Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-12-28

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

28 December 2001

Saturday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 28, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The United States, which is preparing to host Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, welcomed Turkey's demand for facilitation in exportation. The United States will give the export facilitiation right it has recognized to European Union (EU) countries also to Turkey. Turkey, the morale of which has been boosted with the news that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) source will be increased to 16.4 billion U.S. dollars, has received the signal of a significant gesture from Washington D.C. Textile quotas are expected to be lifted as the prior initiative.

VEHICLE TAX INCREASED BY 75 PERCENT

The Motorized Vehicles Tax publicly known as vehicle stamp was increased by 75 percent. The lowest tax has increased to 11 million 860 thousand Turkish liras (TL) while the tax of vehicles using liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has been increased till 4.2 billion TL.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Here are predictions about economy in 2002: Turkey can catch a growth rate of 4 percent this year. The banking, insurance and export sectors will be on the rise next year. Inflation in consumer prices index (CPI) can be slightly below 50 percent. The foreign exchange will not be as popular as it was in 2001. A stable course of interest rates and boom in stock exchange are also foreseen for 2002.

EUROPE DOES NOT START BEHAVING SENSIBLY

The European Union (EU) has completed the terrorist list. There are 12 organizations in the list which will be unveiled today. Terrorist organizations PKK and DHKP-C were not included in the list although Turkey had exerted intensive efforts for their announcement as terrorist organizations.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The state which seized 20 banks in recent two years is changing tactic. It will financially support the banks which are negatively affected by the crisis from now on. The economy administration is getting prepared for a historic operation to help banking sector overcome the crisis. The state will no more seize the management of the banks which failed to achieve capitalization ratio and open credit with 7 year maturity to the banks which can be saved. How will these lucky banks be chosen? The capitalization ratio of the bank to be saved by the state will not be less than 1 percent. The bank will prove that the deficiencies in its financial structure occured due to economic crisis and this will be approved by two independent supervision organizations. Assets of the partners will be taken as guarantee. Then, the bank will be given bonds with 7 year maturity to increase its capital.

AL-CARSAMBA

Security forces raided on Fatih Carsamba district of Istanbul, which is famous for fundamentalist activities, upon the decision of the governorship. It has been revealed that nothing has changed in the region where 46 people wearing Islamic clothes were detained. Three of five detainees were arrested. Police seized daggers, arrows and swords in the operation.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

The report in which Turkey noted the legal measures and other arrangements taken to fight against terrorism said that fight against terrorism was conditioned on international cooperation. The report noted that whether or not the illegal organizations in Turkey were included in the terror list of the European Union (EU) would test Brussels' solidarity in international fight against terrorism. The report stated that Turkey seized the assets of a foreign citizen who was found out to have links with terrorist Osama bin Laden, upon the request of the United States.

EYES TURNED ON SECT SCHOOLS

The interrogation of Ozgen Imamoglu, the guide teacher of Ilkgunes Schools publicly known as close to Naksibendi Sect who was detained in Bursa province within the scope of the operation carried out by police of 18 countries against child pornography, continues. Five children who have been identified from the seized photographs are taken under psychological treatment. Expert psychologists started to talk with the children, including some disabled.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Intensive lobbying was made for the Draft Public Procurement Law, which was of key importance for International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal and adjustment to the European Union (EU). Some international criteria were cancelled in the draft law which was changed at a great extent in favour of contractors. Contractors, mayors, and representatives of employer confederations raided on the parliament to carry out lobby activities regarding the draft law. The only aim of the lobbyists was to make the most changes in the draft law, which had been prepared in line with international criteria in a long period in which the representatives of EU and World Bank also participated, in the advantage of the contractors. The draft law was changed just the way the lobbyist had wanted with the approval of 40 of 60 motions submitted during the deliberations.

THIS WINTER BEGINS WITH HIGH COSTS

The costs of fight against snow and financial losses of the floods have already reached almost 1.5 quadrillion Turkish liras (TL) although it is just the beginning of winter. The costs will increase. Southern Icel province suffers from big losses. The loss of the city which faced three flood disasters in 11 days has reached almost 1 quadrillion TL. Izmir and Antalya are the other cities hit by flood while Istanbul and northwest Turkey are hit by snow. Meteorology officials said that weather conditions would be better as of Sunday.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

There has been a decrease in the demand for natural gas, the price of which is continuously increased. As the Iranian gas has started to be transported to Turkey, the officials worry about ''surplus of stocks.'' The state which encouraged citizens to use natural gas years ago with the propaganda that the natural gas was ''cheap'', was ''shocked'' as citizens started to use stoves following the rises in natural gas that exceed 300 percent. Natural gas lost its attraction when the high profits of the municipalities were added to natural gas price. ''Surplus in natural gas'' has occured as there is a decrease in natural gas use. The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, which pays price of natural gas bought from abroad in advance whether or not the gas is used, applied to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit by saying, ''municipalities are making a high profit. Press on them to reduce their prices.''

GENERAL STAFF: ''THERE IS AN INCREASE IN HARRASSING FLIGHTS OF GREEK PLANES''

A General Staff statement said that Greek planes violated Turkish air space around western Datca township six times in recent months. The General Staff noted that Turkish planes immediately reacted to those violations took the Greek planes away from the air space.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer cancelled the new year reception planned to be hosted at Presidential Palace due to savings measures. Sezer, who made significant cuts in the Presidential budget of 2002, has taken another important step in savings with his decision to cancel the reception. President Sezer hosted a reception upon the October 29 Republic Day and almost 2 thousand people attended that reception.

OKUYAN AND DURMUS ARGUE FOR SSK

Health Minister Osman Durmus and Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan, who cannot share the Social Security Agency (SSK) hospitals, had an argument at the last Council of Ministers meeting of this year. The argument occured due to Durmus' criticisms about SSK hospitals. Okuyan, who harshly reacted to the criticisms, told Durmus, ''you are continously criticizing me. This does not suit socially acceptable behaviour in the coalition. Mind your own business.'' Durmus' words ''it is my duty to control SSK. I will close it if necessary'' inflamed the discussion.

-ECEVIT SAYS STRUCTURAL REFORMS WILL BE IN VAIN IF THEY ENTER INTO ATMOSPHERE OF GENEAL ELECTIONS

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that structural reforms, their efforts and sufferings of citizen would be ''in vain'' and turn out to be nothing if they entered into an atmosphere of general elections at the moment.

Ecevit attended a programme broadcast on Turkish Radio and Television and answered questions.

When asked the recent constitutional amendments had met his desires he had mentioned in his book titled ''Constitution and Democracy'' in 1972, Ecevit said most of them had been met.

Noting that the Constitution had included some articles remaining from the military coup period and they had had the opportunity of removing most of them, Ecevit said that some constitutional changes had been made in 1995 but the recent amendments were much more comprehensive.

Stating that there would be new constitutional amendments in next few months, Ecevit said, ''deficiencies of democracy will be institutionally removed at larger extent. What I said in my book in 1972 that capital power cuases some problems like restriction of freedom of thought and expression to some extent. At the same time, freedom should be in line also with social justice. With this respect, there are steps which should be taken.''

Responding a question, Ecevit said, ''everything should be discussed freely in politics. Opinion of citizens is important. Citizens should express their opinions and they should criticize political parties. However, there should be a disciplinary condition which follows discussion. free discussion, within a political party. Otherwise, this political party cannot follow a consistent and coherent policy if it comes to the power. If coherent decisions were not adopted, it cannot win approval and confidence of citizens. Democracy within a political party should be taken under more discipline. In general, everything is discussed openly in a democratic country.''

Responding another question, Ecevit said that partners of a coalition government could not express each of their opinions but they affected each other.

''That coalition actually cannot live long if its partners cannot reach a compromise,'' he said.

''However, they exchange their opinions. Despite this, a partner has its own opinion. As it is a partner of a coalition, a political party has opinions which it cannot express and implement. It will be true to explain this to public opinion as a reality and cause for failure in fulfillment of what it had promised to do during election campaign,'' Ecevit said.

Responding a question which said, ''you apposed to timing of adoption of amendments to Election Law. When will those amendments will be adopted?'' Ecevit said that the coalition government was working under very difficult conditions and trying to solve the problems caused by ignorances in the past but it had recorded great progress.

Noting that results of those efforts could be positively reflected in the public opinion after a specific period, Ecevit said, ''if we enter into an atmosphere of general elections at this very moment, many structural reforms we have started will turn out to be nothing and in vain. Our efforts and sufferings and burden we have shouldered would be in vain. So I think that general elections' being even a matter of discussion at this stage is objectionable. If matter of general elections is discussed frequently, the society enters an atmosphere of elections and parties in the government may not be so sensitive to stability and determination. So I think it wrong to bring Election and Political Parties laws onto the agenda at the moment. However, also these laws come onto the agenda when the reforms we started and the reforms we will make will reach a specific level.''

Responding another question, Ecevit said that reforms about banking and finance sectors ahd not reached a specific level yet.

Noting that it had been observed that legislative works on banks were insufficient regarding implementation, Ecevit said that a series of bills would be brough onto the parliamentary agenda in coming days.

Responding a question about privatization, Ecevit said that previous governments had carried out privatization works but failed to achieve sufficient success.

Noting that they felt the need for taking this matter op again, Ecevit said that they had done their best not to leave alone the people who were dismissed due to privatization.

Ecevit said that 1,900 of the dismissed people were still unemployed but they would find jobs to those people. Bulent Ecevit said that they were carrying out an implementation which was economically wrong but socially true.

When asked how the state would narrow itself, Ecevit said that the state had actually narrowed itself and the state had not have several authorities.

-ECEVIT SAYS IT IS GEOGRAPHICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR TURKEY TO AVOID FROM A POSSIBLE OPERATION AGAINST IRAQ

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that it was geographically impossible for Turkey to avoid from a possible military operation against Iraq.

''I have been telling our American friends that if the United States is to take a step against Iraq, it should establish a dialogue with us and they have given us their word they will do this,'' he said.

Ecevit attended a programme broadcast on Turkish Radio and Television and answered questions.

Ecevit said that he hoped Iraq issue would not be brought onto the agenda during his visit to the United States but if it would be brought onto the agenda, he would say something about the matter.

''Invasion and division of Iraq cause very serious problems in the Arab world. A miliary operation against Iraq gives very serious economic and political damage to us and Turkey face very serious dangers of war and clashes. Now, we are trying to make more business step by step. It is georgraphically impossible for Turkey to avoid from a possible operation against Iraq. I have been telling our American friends that if the United States is to take a step against Iraq, it should establish a dialogue with us and they have given us their word they will do this,'' he said.

When asked what knid of a role and position Turkey should undertake in security of Afghanistan, Ecevit said, ''we have historical and emotional ties with Afghanistan. During the Turkish War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk sent Turkish officers to Afghanistan. Turkey has extended and will continue to extend every kind of assistance to make Afghanistan a contemporary country. Besides, Turkey is constructing a conservatory in Afghanistan.''

Ecevit said, ''Afghanistan does not have an army. There are rival forces. Actually, this was the main reason for occupation of Afghanistan by a made- up and worn-out group like Taleban. Now, the same thing should not happen again. The measure is formation of an Afghan army and police. Turkey is the only country which can do this without intervening in Afganistan's domestic afairs.''

Responding another question, Ecevit said that trade and economy would top the agenda of his visit to the United States. Ecevit said that they would ask the United States for at least offering of same facilities to the European Union (EU) also to Turkey.

Responding a question which said, ''you exerted efforts for getting rid of the tense atmosphere in the Middle East but sufficient interest was not shown. What was the reason?'' Ecevit said, ''I don't know. I encouraged especially the United States because it is the country which can influence Israel more. But it was paid no attention. I will bring this matter onto the agenda in the United States''

Ecevit said that tension in the Middle East would escalate more if the problems between Israel and Palestine were not solved.

When asked what kind of things should be done to solve problems in the relations between Turkey and Greece, Ecevit said, ''I am hopeful about this matter. The problem between Turkey and Greece is not legal but political. We can solve it through dialogue. Consequently, dialogue started after earthquake disasters and it continued. Of course, this should not be exaggerated. However, an atmosphere where matters can be discussed was created.''

-PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMISSION ADOPTS DRAFT LAW ON

RESTRUCTURING OF DEBTS OF REAL SECTOR

ANKARA - Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission approved late on Thursday a draft law which foresaw restructuring of debts of real sector to the financial sector and amendment to some laws.

Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy Nesrin Nas and Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputy Cafer Tufan Yazici submitted a motion which foresaw allocation of sources to banks, the capital of which was insufficient, during the deliberations.

The motion which was also supported by the government foresaw transfer of source through Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) to banks which have at least 1 percent share in banking sector and failed to achieve capitalization ratio according to their balance sheets on September 30, 2001.

According to the motion, the capitalization ration was set as 8 percent. Sources will be allocated to the banks, the ratios of which are between minus zero and 5.

Credit will be provided for the banks, the ratios of which rank between 5 and 9, in return for bonds which can be converted into 7-year shares.

The motion was adopted with 13 votes in favour against 12 votes.

Another motion which was also adopted at the meeting foresaw the Supreme Council of Public Accounts to control accounts of funds, boards, higher boards and institutes formed under a special law.

The motion and article which limited the responsibilities of the state bank administrators in restructuring of the credits with intention and fault were rejected.

-TURKEY PRESENT REPORT ON TERRORISM TO U.N:

-''THE RESPONSE OF PARTNERS IN THE EU TO TERROR LIST WILL CONSTITUTE

A TEST OF THEIR SOLIDARITY IN OUR STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM''

ANKARA - The report on terrorism presented by Turkey to the United Nations (U.N) said that the response of the partners in the European Union (EU) to the terror list enclosed in the report would constitute a test of their solidarity in the struggle against terrorism.

The report noted that Turkey included a list of the names of terrorist organizations of separatist, extreme leftist and fundamentalist nature that posed a threat to Turkey in the report.

In the conclusion of the report, it was stressed that recent events had demonstrated that no country could defeat terrorism without international cooperation. The report said that the resolution no 1.373 of the U.N. Security Council set valuable guidelines for Member States to adopt a common approach in identifying, defining, condemning, isolating and bringing before justice the perpetrators of terrorist acts.

Noting that Turkey welcomed initiatives within regional organizations in view of combating terrorism, the report said, ''however, as terrorism has no particular geography, these initiatives must complement universal cooperation in this regard, rather than having an exclusionist nature. The fight against terrorism must be a common one and Turkey is firmly committed to work hand in hand with every State or international organization for its success. Selective attitudes based on political motivations and assessments are the main obstacles before an efficient international cooperation against terrorism.''

-''MANY OF TURKEY'S EXTRADITION DEMANDS HAVE BEEN REFUSED''

The report said that many of Turkey's extradition demands had been refused in the past on various grounds and that perpetrators of most wicked crimes had found safe havens in third countries.

''We have renewed our extradition requests hoping that they would be reevaluated in the wake of the September 11 events. In the same vein, we recently provided the names of terrorist organizations of separatist, extreme leftist and fundamentalist nature that pose a major threat to Turkey, to be included in a list that the EU will prepare, as a contribution to the efforts in progress in the Union. Turkey is of the opinion that, the response of its partners in the EU will constitute a test of their solidarity in our struggle against terrorism,'' the report stated.

The report pointed out that the September 11th terrorist attacks showed once again the dimensions of terrorism and the need for international solidarity and common effort to combat it.

As a country, which had suffered for long from terrorism and still a major target, Turkey had condemned in the strongest terms the culprits and instigators of those attacks and called for intensified international cooperation for the prevention of this scourge, the report said.

The report pointed out, ''Turkey has therefore welcomed the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1373, which constitutes a solid and comprehensive instrument for combating terrorism on a universal scale. The resolution provides a clear road map for the steps that need to be taken in this regard. We hope that all member States will fully comply with this groundbreaking resolution.''

''It should be noted that, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Turkey expressed its unequivocal solidarity with the United States of America and responded favorably to its call to join in an international coalition aiming at bringing to justice the perpetrators and organizers of those attacks. In this context, Turkey opened its airspace to U.S. military transport aircraft participating in operation ''Enduring Freedom'' and issued a blanket clearance for landing to and take off from a number of Turkish airfields. Having had to cope with terrorism for more than two decades, Turkey is well equipped with internal legal instruments required for the struggle against that evil. It is also party to a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements on cooperation in the prevention of terrorism, organized crime and drugs trafficking.''

-OPERATIVE ARTICLES

In the operative articles paragraph of the report, the legal arrangements made by Turkey to fight against terrorism were explained.

In this paragraph, it was noted that passport applicants in Turkey were subject to thorough investigation and that entries and exits of persons were recorded in the computer network.

The report said a draft Passport Law was in process, which foresaw heavier sentences for illegal border crossings and a new type of Turkish passports more difficult to forge.

The existing exchange of operational intelligence with regard to the activities of terrorist groups within the cooperation between the relevant security authorities of Turkey and their foreign counterparts greatly intensified after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the report stressed.

-MULTI-NATIONAL COOPERATION

The report said that Turkey was a signatory of 49 agreements with 40 countries regarding fight against terrorism, organized crimes and drug trafficking and noted that Turkey had ratified 10 of 12 conventions relating to terrosim prepared by U.N while the remaining two conventions, namely the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism where expected to be ratified by the parliament soon.

The report said, ''immediately after President George W. Bush's Executive Order was released on September 23, 2001, Turkey formed a committee to investigate whether the persons and companies in that list, suspected to have relations with Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaida are present and active in Turkey. After thorough investigation by relevant authorities it appeared that one person on the list had lucrative activities in Turkey, following which all his assets were frozen.''

''In accordance with the reservation it has put to the Geneva Convention on the Legal Status of Refugees Turkey accepts refugees only from European countries. Non-european asylum seekers are temporarily hosted in Turkey until a safe third country is prepared to receive them. In both cases applications for asylum seekers are carefully examined so as to ensure that the applicants are not involved in any terrorist activity,'' the report stated.

The report said that Turkey did not extradite persons whose offenses were of a political nature but that this principle did not apply in case of terrorist offences.

''Turkey fully supports all efforts by the international community aimed at combating terrorism. In this context, it has substantially contributed to the drafting and adoption of resolutions and agreements in various international organizations,'' the report pointed out.

In the Council of Europe (COE) Context of the report, it was stated that Turkey had undertaken a number of commitments as a member of COE, which specialised in human rights protection and legal cooperation on a pan- European scale, in the field of combating terrorism and related areas.

The report said, ''first of all, Turkey has signed and ratified the 1977 European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism. The fact that the Convention is far from being satisfactory with regard to the current needs in the field has become evident in time. Turkey has long been stressing the need to up-date and if necessary revise the instrument.''

Turkey was also party to the following Council of Europe Conventions covering directly or indirectly the fields of terror and organised crime, the report noted.

The report stated that Turkey also energetically supported the initiative of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to adopt a declaration condemning the September 11th terrorist attacks with the strongest terms.

''Turkey extended its unreserved support to the initiatives of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in the field of combating terrorism,'' the report added.

-TURKEY TO TAKE 31.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS FROM IMF TILL 2004

ANKARA - Turkey will have taken 31.5 billion U.S. dollars of loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 2000 and 2004.

Sources told A.A correspondent that IMF had released almost 15 billion U.S. dollars for Turkey since the beginning of 2000 and stressed that Turkey was ranked among ''countries with priority and importance'' under the auspices of the IMF in regard to the amount of credit it provided.

The sources said that IMF could increase the amount of additional source foreseen for 2003 and 2004 according to finance need of Turkey.

Turkey will repay 6.2 billion U.S. dollar part of the loan it had taken since the bginning of 2000 in 2002.

Sources noted that the repayment would not be delayed but be made on time due to high cost of that loan.

Meanwhile, the IMF delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen will visit Turkey in March.

The first review within the framework of the new stand-by deal will start in march while the second will be made in May and the third in July.

The reviews following July will be held every three months.

A great deal of 10 billion U.S. dollar loan will be released at the Executive Board meeting in January.

The other loan tranches will be released according to Turkey's performance.

Within the framework of new letter of intent, the Maastricht criteria will be kept till the end of 2004, the end of the programme.

Total public debt stock will be decreased to 60 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP).

The debt proportion to GNP will be reduced 10 point every year until the end of the program under the borrowing policy to keep with Maastricht criteria.

Bond issue will be increased over 2 billion U.S. dollars next year.

Turkey's rating which would be better with additional source inflow, would reduce next year's foreign borrowing cost, the sources added.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT DUE TO UNITED STATES ON JANUARY 14

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will go to the United States on January 14, 2002 for an official visit.

Ecevit will meet with U.S. President George Bush on January 16 and discuss many issues, including regional issues, concerning two countries.

Prime Minister Ecevit is expected to meet with some U.S. secretaries, World Bank President James Wolfensohn and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Koehler.

Ecevit, who will proceed to New York on January 18, will visit the rubble of World Trade Organization (WTO) Towers which collapsed due to September 11th terrorist attacks and return to Turkey the same day.

Prime Minister Ecevit will be accompanied by his wife Rahsan Ecevit, State Minister Kemal Dervis, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, some ministers and a group of businessmen and journalists during his tour to the United States.

-WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE

ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Advisor and Cabinet Chief Tacan Ildem said on Friday, ''the State Inspection Board has been charged to carry out inspections on ten separate issues. The board has finalized eight of these inspections, and prepared reports.''

Speaking at the weekly press conference at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, Ildem gave information about works carried out by the State Inspection Board.

He said, ''the State Inspection Board has been charged to carry out inspections on ten separate issues. The board has finalized eight of these inspections, prepared reports, and sent these reports to the Prime Ministry Office. Works are under way on the remaining two issues.''

Referring to the news stories about the Presidential Guesthouse in Marmaris township of western province of Mugla, Ildem said, ''these news stories claimed that six people were working at the Presidential Guesthouse. In fact, only two people have been charged at the Presidential Guesthouse. In the meantime, the Presidential Guesthouse does not have expenditures except for electricity bills. Meanwhile, the news stories also claimed that a military squad was charged to protect the State Guesthouse. Such news stories are totally baseless.''

Responding a question, Ildem said, ''President Ahmet Necdet Sezer spent 250 billion Turkish liras to purchase a house in Golbasi district of Ankara. President Sezer and his wife purchased the house with their personal money. Both President Sezer and nis wife have been working for nearly 40 years.''

Ildem said that President Sezer had cancelled the New Year Reception at the Cankaya Presidential Palace within framework of saving measures.

-NSC MEETING ENDS (2)

ANKARA - Economic developments in Turkey in 2001 were taken up at the monthly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), and the Treasury Undersecretariat informed members of the NSC on expectations and targets for the year 2002.

Releasing a written statement following the meeting, the NSC Secretariat General said on Friday, ''under the light of security and intelligence reports of the last month, fundamentalist, separatist and destructive activities targeting Turkey's security; results of fight against criminal organizations; and foreign political developments concerning Turkey's security were taken up at the monthly meeting of the NSC.''

''The NSC was informed on developments in implementation of struggle strategy against fundamentalism. The NSC stressed that draft laws on the issue should be enacted as soon as possible,'' it said.

The statement noted, ''Turkey's possible contributions to independence, national security and development of Afghanistan were also discussed at the meeting.''

''The Treasury Undersecretariat informed the members of the NSC on economic developments in Turkey in 2001, and on expectations and targets for the year 2002. Impacts of measures that have been taken or will be taken soon, on Turkey's security were evaluated. At the meeting, the NSC underlined importance of continuation of structural arrangements aiming at providing a more sound, dynamic and reliable structure in Turkish economy, preventing corruption, increasing welfare of the community, removing unfair distribution of income, decreasing differences among regions, and struggling against poverty,'' the statement added.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer; Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli; State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz; State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan; ministers; commanders of land, air, naval and gendarmerie forces; and the NSC Secretary General were in attendance at the meeting.

State Minister Kemal Dervis attended a part of the meeting.

-PROF. DR. ISMAIL HAKKI AYDIN PRESENTED WITH HONOR AWARD

ERZURUM - Prof. Ismail Hakki Aydin, the chairman of Cerebral Surgery Department of the Ataturk University, was presented with honor award at the Gold Neurology Science Congress which was held in India on Friday.

Sources told the A.A correspondent that Aydin who had been invited to the Congress which was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Neurological Surgery, was presented with the honorary award.

Aydin delivered a speech on ''Neurosurgery and Nervous System'' at the congress.

-TREASURY TO REPAY USD 67.4 MILLION NEXT WEEK

ANKARA - Treasury will repay 67.4 million U.S. dollars in external debt next week.

According to Treasury Undersecretariat statistics, Treasury will repay 0.2 million U.S. dollars on Monday, 25.4 million U.S. dollars on Wednesday, 19.3 million U.S. dollars on Thursday and 22.6 million U.S. dollars on Friday.

Last week, the total foreign debt service was 163.6 million U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, total foreign debt repayments so far has reached 10 billion 584.6 million U.S. dollars since the beginning of the year.

Treasury repaid 503.9 million U.S. dollars in January, 804.9 million U.S. dollars in February, 631.2 million U.S. dollars in March, 1 billion 168.6 million U.S. dollars in April, 634.8 million U.S. dollars in May, 1 billion 778 million U.S. dollars in June, 450 million U.S. dollars in July, 381 million U.S. dollars in August, 623.3 million U.S. dollars in September, 574.1 million U.S. dollars in October, 1 billion 914.3 million dollars in November and 1 billion 119.8 million U.S. dollars in December in external debt.

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