Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-01-18

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ANADOLU AJANSI

HABERLER

18 January 2002

Friday

Türkiye

Dünya

Parlamento

Ekonomi

Spor

Sanat-Magazin

Sağlık

T

urkey

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 18, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Carlsberg, the giant beer company of Europe, made a propose of 15 million U.S. dollars to Besiktas Soccer Club. According to the agreement reached in principle, name of Besiktas Club's Inonu Stadium will be changed as Carlsberg Inonu Stadium. Also, soccer players of Besiktas Club will wear uniforms in their matches carrying the emblem of Carlsberg.

BUSH: ''TURKEY IS A SPLENDID COUNTRY''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who is currently paying an official visit to the United States, invited U.S. President George W. Bush to Turkey. President Bush welcomed the invitation, and described Turkey as a splendid country.

GENERAL STAFF SPOILS PLANS FOR A CIVIL WAR IN TURKEY

Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK, wrote his memories at the Imrali Prison. In his memories, Ocalan said, ''the real reason I was handed over to Turkey was to start a civil war in Turkey. However, the General Staff spoilt this plan. During my imprisonment period in Turkey, I have not been exposed to any torture or any maltreatment.''

''CAMPAIGN FOR EDUCATION IN KURDISH IS CONTRARY TO CONSTITUTION''

Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said, ''separatist terrorist organization PKK has launched a so-called 'second peace initiative' in Europe. Within framework of this new strategy, actions were planned to be staged by submitting petitions asking for education in Kurdish language, and organizing panel discussions, conferences and theatre plays in Kurdish language in order to bring Kurdish identity to the forefront. Families of 24 students submitted their petitions in Istanbul on December 26, 2001, asking for education in Kurdish language. Other families followed them by submitting similar petitions. This action is contrary to the Constitution. Therefore, local administrations should take all necessary measures to prevent violation of constitutional rules.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

U.S. President George W. Bush said that they excluded Turkey from the list of risky countries for American tourists. However, Turkey has never been included in this list. Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar said that President Bush made a serious mistake.

''ANY INTERVENTION IN IRAQ WILL RESULT IN CALAMITY''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who is currently paying an official visit to the United States, held a press conference for foreign journalists. Speaking at the press Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''I hope that any military operation would not be launched against Iraq. Because, such an intervention in Iraq will result in calamity for Turkey even if Turkey does not participate in this operation.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

A 20-member reconnaissance team will leave for Afghan capital Kabul today prior to departure of 261 Turkish soldiers who will be charged in the multi- national peace force to be deployed in Afghanistan. General Emin Alpman is commanding the reconnaissance team.

GENERAL DOSTUM WELCOMED WITH FLOWERS

General Rashid Dostum who has been appointed as deputy defense minister of the interim government in Afghanistan, came to Turkey yesterday to visit his family. General Dostum is expected to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz at the weekend.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spokesman Tom Dawson said that the reforms process in Turkey continued more rapidly than earlier. Speaking at a press conference in Washington D.C., Dawson said that the IMF Executive Board was expected to approve Turkey's letter of intent in the end of January or beginning of February.

KANADOGLU: ''HADEP SHOULD BE CLOSED DOWN''

Constitutional Court delegation listened to Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu's verbal statements in the case filed to close People's Democracy Party (HADEP) on charges of ''becoming a focus point of actions against inseparable integrity of the state with its country and nation''. During the session, Kanadoglu said that the HADEP should be closed down because of dimensions and quality of its actions. Meanwhile, HADEP leader Murat Bozlak said that the HADEP was a secular and democratic political party, and added that the HADEP was not separatist.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) delayed the IMF board meeting to February. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who found the U.S. visit as positive gave the microphone to State Minister Kemal Dervis when asked about IMF. Dervis said that the letter of intent would be given today. IMF board meeting was delayed to February as the conditions were deficient.

HUMAN RIGHTS NOT TAKEN UP IN ECEVIT'S VISIT TO U.S.

Human Rights and democratization issues were not taken up in the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's last visit. There isn't any mark for the issues on human rights and democratization which were always discussed in every meeting between leaders of the U.S. and Turkey to have been taken up in the visit of Ecevit. When a diplomat asked to American counterparts, it is understood that the U.S. gave up to keep those issues on the agenda continuously.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides took up mainly the ''Cyprus United States'' model in the meeting. According to ''Cyprus United States'' formula which was informed to the United Nations (U.N.), Cyprus will be a member of the European Union (EU) in 2004 at the latest. According to the formula, Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides will be politically equal in the island. Denktas said that he and Clerides would evaluate the meeting on the previous day in the meeting which would be held on January 21. Denktas stated that they would also discuss in the meeting the functions of the two equal sides in the new republic which would be set up later.

MAYORS IN PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

Ankara Greater City Mayor Melih Gokcek and Istanbul Greater City Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna visited President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in Presidential Palace on Thursday. They requested Sezer to approve the law on the municipalities. They also complained about the law foreseeing transfer of 60 percent of 5 percent share which greater city municipalities take from the tax incomes to Iller Bankasi.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Bulent Ecevit said that a strategical partnership period overcoming the alliance relations with the United States (U.S.) had been entered. Ecevit noted that the contacts in the U.S. were extremely successful. He stated that Washington talks were very satisfactory and saying that he gave 10 points to the tour to the U.S.. Ecevit, who held a press conference on his contacts in the U.S. on Thursday, said that he emphasized time and again that they should act very carefully on the relations with the U.S. and added that the U.S. was willing to develop the relations with Turkey.

DOSTUM TAKING SHELTER TO TURKEY RETURNS AS DEPUTY MINISTER

Afghanistan interim government Deputy Defense Minister Uzbek General Rashid Dostum came to Turkey. Dostum who had returned to Afghanistan in April last year and took part in military operations against Taliban are currently paying visits to Ankara as a victorious commander. Dostum, who is expected to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, met with his family in Ankara in the first day of his visit.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (1)

WASHINGTON D.C. - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that he had said during his meetings with U.S. President George W. Bush and other high- ranking administration officials how important the cooperation and partnership between Turkey and United States were, adding, ''this was the message I brought from Turkey and I am glad to say that it is the same message that I will be taking back from the United States.''

Within framework his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Ecevit spoke at the National Press Club on Turkish foreign policy and answered their questions.

Noting that a new fault line was likely to emerge between those states that pay only lip service to combating terrorism while using it as a tool or showing sympathy to certain kinds of terrorism and those that make a genuine effort to kill this disease, Ecevit said that Turkey in its recent past had had to cope with several different types of terrorism with foreign connections.

''If we hope to deal a decisive blow to this menace, it is absolutely necessary to end double standards. Differentiating between terrorist acts on whatever basis and for whatever reason is unacceptable. Even after September 11 we are detecting a troubling reluctance on the part of certain countries in going after known terrorist groups or even designating them as such. For its part, Turkey is determined to fight this scourge until it is completely rooted out, by clamping down on terrorist cells wherever they may be, drying up their finances, cutting their logistical support and making terrorist recruiting increasingly more difficult,'' he said.

''September 11 has placed a new responsibility on the shoulders of the United States: the leadership of the global combat against terrorism. But the United States is far from being alone in this just struggle. As a reliable ally, a time-tested friend and a strategic partner, Turkey, for one, will continue to lend a strong support to the U.S. efforts to eradicate terrorism. And I am glad to say that in our own struggle against terrorism, we have received the greates support and solidarity from the United States,'' Ecevit said.

''The democratic societies, while preserving individual liberties, must be vigilant against those groups that exploit the existing freedoms in order to provide money, supplies or new recruits to terrorists. We also need to work on closing any loopholes that may exist in national and international law. Turkey has already signed and ratified all the existing international conventions on specific terrorist offenses. We call on any country that has not yet done so to do the same,'' the Prime Minister stated.

''The case of Afghanistan provides a sad example of what tragedies can befall a country it had the misfortune to be run by an extremist group. the Taliban, apart from providing shelter to Osama Bin Ladin's terrorists Al Qaeda network, also attempted to stop and reverse the forward flow of time in. In the name of bringing order, they dispensed with the whole concept of human rights and descended upon the Afghan people like a nightmare. They treated women as if they were not human beings and destroyed the cultural heritage of the country,'' Ecevit said.

''Now that the Taliban has ceased to exist, it is time for the international community to start pouring generous reconstruction assistance to the Afghan people. Afghanistan is a very important country. Rebuilding of Afghanistan is very important. Our ties with Afghanistan go way back in time, to the formative years of both states. Therefore, Turkey can and will play a constructive role in consolidating the process of peace and nation- building in Afghanistan. Besides taking part in all major international assistance programs for Afghanistan, we also provide substantial bilateral ais in areas such as health care, education and rehabilitation of displaced persons. Furthermore, Turkish troops will soon join the international security assistance force that just became activated. Turkey will also be helping with the creation of a national Afghan army and police force. The fight against terrorism and drive to rebuild Afghanistan are just two of the many international issues in which Turkey has been showing a high profile,'' he said.

Defining dissolution of the Soviet nion and the emergence of newly independent states in Central Asia were positive developments after the Cold War, Ecevit said that that Turkey, along with every country, benefited from those changes.

Stressing that Turkey had quickly found itself surrounded by new forms of threats, conflicts and instability in different directions, Ecevit said, ''I am sure you are all familiar with out tough neighborhood, which we witnessed the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, the bloody conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and the Caucasus as well as the latest spate of violence between the Palestinians and the Israelis. No other country in the world has ever been exposed to so many conflicts at the same time and had to endure their side- effects. In such a volatile and explosive environment, we fell one of Turkey's principal functions is to promote peace and stability in its region and beyond.''

''Here, Turkey can be a very important factor for economic cooperation. In terms of its existing industrial infrastructure, geographical location, liberal economic regime and young and well-trained workforce, Turkey is ideally placed to serve as the engine of regional economic growth. Despite our temporary economic difficulties, Turkish economy is set to resume high growth rates before long and has an even greater potential for the future. This is why Turkey was designated one of the ten big emerging markets and invited to join the G-20 Group. This is also the reson why more and more foreign companies are choosing Turkey as their regional production center, '' he said.

Noting that an additional asset was Turkey's growing role in securing and diversifying the world energy supplies, Ecevit said, ''the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan oil pipeline project is getting one step closer to the construction phase. In addition, our Southeastern Anatolia Project, or GAP, is one of the largets developments projects in the world. All of these facts highlight Turkey's current standing and future potential as a rising economic power.''

Stating that Turkey set an example to many other nations by its very form of government and role in promoting international peace and stability as well as regional economic cooperation, Ecevit said, ''we provide living proof that a western-type democracy can exist and thrive in a predominantly Muslim nation. This is perhaps the strongest antidote to the contentions of certain circles in both Islamic and Christian countries that Islam and Human rights, or Islam and democracy can never successfully coexist.''

Recalling that Turkey had recently proposed to host a joint conference between the European Union (EU) and the Organization of ıslamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul between February 12-13, Ecevit said that achievement of full EU membership was one of two major goals Turkey had set for itself.

Ecevit said, ''the other objective is to transform Turkey into a strong, pivotal and affluent state in the heart of Eurasia, capable of spreading peace, stability and prosperity to its neighborhood and beyond. These objectives do not contradict, but complement each other. A pivotal Turkey in Eurasia will be an essential asset for the EU and a Turkey within the EU will be able to make a much stronger contribution to the security, stability and welfare of Eurasia.''

''We are fully aware that an essential requiremant for EU membership is the fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria. As a matter of fact, Turkey has made substantial progress towards satisfying those criteria. The constitutional amendments enacted during our term in office speak for themselves. And we are determined to carry on with the reform process. The Turkish government and parliament have been working around the clock to change existing legislation or introduce new laws that will take our democratic and economic standards to the highest possible level,'' he said.

Stressing that Turkey and the United States had common interests, Ecevit said that in the post-Cold War period, the once defense-driven cooperation between Turkey and the United States steadily grew to encompass many diverse fields.

Noting that they now chracterized their ties as a strategic partnership, Ecevit said, ''an equally important aspect of this partnership is the huge potential for further deepening bilateral relations, especially in the economic field. We are looking forward to raising our bilateral trade to a much higher level that would do justice to our long-standing ties. Likewise, we hope that more American companies and entrepreneurs will take advantage of our foreign investment legislation to tap into Turkey's fast developing business environment.''

''In this connection, I would also like to underline our deep appreciation for the solid support we have been receiving from the United States in our efforts to strengthen the financial basis of our country. I had fruitful meetings with President Bush and other high-ranking administration afficials. My talks in the United States have underlined once again that our two countries need each other more than ever. Our cooperation not only benefits both countries, but also other nations in many ways. Therefore, we are destined to remain close allies, friends and strategic partners, working towards the same vision of the future: one that brings greater peace, security and prosperity to our respective nations as well as the world. his was the message I brought from Turkey and I am glad to say that it is the same message I will be taking back from the United States,'' Prime Minister Ecevit said.

Later, Ecevit answered questions of foreign journalists.

(To be continued)

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (2)

WASHINGTON D.C. - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that Foreign inister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou were working of the Aegean map and that they had not yet reflected this matter to the public opinion.

Within framework of his visit to the United States, Ecevit answered questions of foreign journalists at the National Press Club.

Responding a question about the U.S. State Department's statement on December 20 about preparation of a new Aegean map together with Turkey and Greece, Ecevit said, ''there are many fields in which we should cooperate. At the moment, I don't want to express concrete thoughts. Papandreou and Cem are actually working on this matter and they have not yet publicly explained this matter. So let's wait in order not to make their efforts be of no use. However, we can create new thoughts if necessary. We have common interests in many fields. The two neighboring countries can solve their problems.''

Responding a question which said, ''you have said that some countries are more reluctant to fight against terrorism. Are these countries Saudi Arabia, Egypt? What do you think about demolition of the al-Ajyad Fortress? What do you think about Turkey's influence over the Muslim world in long term? Turkey is not considered a part of the Muslim world completely. How can you express ypurself as a model?'' Ecevit said, ''it can be possible to talk about some countries in the Middle East and east. However, some countries even in the European Union, some European powers do not define the existing terrorist organizations in their countries as terrorist organizations. For example, some of the terrorist acts in Turkey are planned in some EU countries while these countries do not define these organizations as tyerrorist organizations. They do not convey information about this matter to Turkey. So there are countries also in the Western world, which are more reluctant and act slowly regarding fight against terrorism, but I hope that we may see these countries more active in near future.''

''Turkey continues to be a model to Muslim countries day by day. Turkey has concretely shown that Islam can coexist with democracy, secularism and modernization. This has gained importance especially after the operation in Afghanistan. Earlier, some countries with Muslim population has some doubts about Turkey model. However, now most of those countries accept that the Turkey model is a model which should be implemented,'' Ecevit said.

When asked whether or not Turkey was ready to cooperate with the Russian government in the Chechnya issue, Ecevit said, ''there are diferent opinions about fight against terrorism. There are different approaches towards terrorism even in some democratic West European countries.''

Responding a question about start of direct talks on Cyprus, Ecevit said, ''it is very positive to hold face-to-face talks in a friendly atmosphere. I don't want to explain my opinion while the dialogue is under way in Lefkosa. We should wait for the result of the talks.''

When asked what Turkey should do protect its new role and how Turkey could accelerate process of accession to the EU, Ecevit said, ''we should be insistent on our secular and democratic regime in order to perserve our role. Loyalty to secular model, most important and democratic values is an important factor for Turkey. Turkey will advance on this path and inspire other countries.''

Responding a question about democratic development in Turkey, Ecevit said, ''Turkey is facing several problems and we should overcome these through democratic ways. However, Turkey cannot give up its determination in protection of its secular structure and territorial integrity.''

When asked what he thought about China's declaration of some groups in Eastern Turkestan as terrorist groups after September 11, Ecevit said that those groups could not be considered terrorist groups as long as they were not involved in terrorist acts.

(To be continued)

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (3)

WASHINGTON D.C. - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that a solution to the Iraq issue should absolutely be found, adding, ''I hope that this would not be through a military operation. Because, such a military operation may be a disaster for Turkey even if Turkey does not join this operation.''

Ecevit answered questions of foreign journalists at the National Press Club.

The questions asked to the Prime Minister and his answeres are as follows:

Question: Turkish-Greek relations are contunuing in a ositive way. The foreign ministers of both countries are carrying oıt works on development of bilateral relations. The Greek Prime Minister asked ''if you have a demand from Greece for Aegean why don't ypu go to the International Court of Justice?'' Why don't you go there?

Ecevit: On my personal vies, the Aegean issue is a political matter, it is not a legal matter. Aegean should be defined again under the changing conditions. So we think that we should come together as two mature countries. We think that we should evaluate the situation in Aegean under the existing conditions. We think that at the end of this evaluation, we should reach a policy which satisfies both countries. Start of a dialogue between the two countries in recent years is pleasing. Our foreign ministers frequently meet each other. Maybe these meetings are not always held in front of press but they meet each other. Under a very close and special cooperation, it is possible to record some progress without reflecting them to the press so much. Because, they are two neighboring countries. We should be able to share our rights also on Aegean in a just way.

Question: Turkey's cooperation with Southern Caucasus is one of the issues on the agenda in Washington. Within framework of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Chief of General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu said, ''there are weapons of mass destruction in Armenia.''

Ecevit: I don't have information about Turkish Chief of General Staff general Kivrikoglu's statement about mass destruction weapons. However, occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia is a very important issue for us. Tens of thousands of people are living under very difficult conditions as a result of this. We hope that these two countries would reach a result. There was an impression that leaders of both sides had reached the point of agreement. But this did not happen. If these two countries solve their problems and if occupation of Azerbaijani territories ends, we can set up diplomatic relations also with Armenia. We have recently given the start for visa implementation with Armenia. I hope that a just result for both sides would be reached, and we can start relations with Armenia.

Question: A discussion continues in the United States. The Bush administration has not yet made a decision on Iraq issue. There is a group in the United States, which wants to bring Iraq issue to forefront. Some persons want to bring Iraq to forefront in fight against terrorism. This may cause a clash among civilizations. What will your attitude be if you are asked a question about an operation against Iraq?

Ecevit: All of these are normal. The United States is a democratic country so existence of different opinions is normal. Now, there is a matter similar to Afghanistan in the United States. I see that an agreement was not reached on how Iraq issue can be solved. President Bush strongly stated that he could not endure Saddam Hussein. A way out should be found, of course. However, I hope that this would not be through a military operation. Because, such a military operation may be a disaster for Turkey even if it does not join this operation. Turkey suffered serious losses due to the Gulf War. We don't want occurrence of a similar thing again. Many people lost their lives during that period. I am sure that we can find another way another solution to Iraq issue. Actually, nobody talked about a military operation during my meetings.

Question: There are people who want to make Turkey and Russia confront each other about the Caspian oil. What do you think?

Ecevit: The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is a very important project. It is not only economically but also strategically and politically important project. There is not any problem in our relations with Russia. Very positive relations between the United States and Russian Federation are developing and increasing. It can be possible to make different cooperations in different gas and oil pipelines. So I don't think there is a problem preventing our friendly relations here even between the West and Russian Federation and between Turkey and Russian federation.

Question: Will you give logistic support about Iraq issue?

Ecevit: We have been extending every kind of support for a long time. We actually provide airspace opportunity to the United States. Although there is a question mark about Iraq's intention, the U.S. air forces can always get permission for flights by signing agreements. So there is not a problem.

Question: There are comments like you may return to Turkey with nothing about a new trade agreement. Were you successful in development of commercial relations?

Ecevit: I think that we took the right steps about this matter. The State Department made a very important and positive statement yesterday. Although there is a partnership between Turkey and the United States, this partnership did not contain an economic partnership. However, it was stated that there should be also economic partnership. A high-level commission will be formed about this matter and this commission will hold its first meeting in mid-February. And it will be possible for us to discuss our bilateral economic and commercial issues through such a mechanism. The United States is aware of the problems that the Turkish economy is facing. They really helped us. We were pleased with this.

Question: Yesterday, you said that a compromise could be reached on Aegean issue. What was U.S. President Bush's answer? Did you give the start for an effort or work on a compromise with the Greek government, Costas Simitis? Are you talking about a legal compromise or political compromise?

Ecevit: There should be a political compromise. When there is a political compromise, it may have legal reflections, of course. The reaction of Bush was that his opinion about this matter was quite positive. He sincerely said that he wanted Turkey and Greece reach a solution. Until the recent past, Simitis was saying that the solution was the application to The Hague. However, for the last two-three years, especially in recent months, the dialogue between Turkey and Greece has increased. Many issues are being discussed during the talks that the Turkish and Greek foreign ministers are holding in friendly way. I don't know about details of these friendly talks but all of these talks will bring formulas that satisfy both sides. Start of face-to-face talks between Rauf Denktas and Glafcos Clerides on Cyprus is very impotant. It may not be possible to reach a solution that satisfies both sides. Dialogue may always bring new solutions, some solution possibilities. I hope that this dialogue would bring positive results in near future. My advice is that other countries should not intervene in Cyprus issue. Turkey, Greece, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should discuss the issue among themselves. However, Cyprus does not create a problem for other countries. So other organizations and countries should not intervene in this. Let's leave Mr. Denktas and Mr. Clerides alone as they are working to reach a solution that will satisfy both sides.

(End)

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. SECRETARY OF TRADE EVANS

WASHINGTON D.C. - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who is currently paying an official visit to the United States, received U.S. Secretary of Trade Don Evans.

The meeting at the Ritz Carlton Hotel lasted for about 45 minutes.

During the meeting, the issue of further improvement of commercial relations between Turkey and the United States was taken up.

Evans thanked Turkey for its support to the United States in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York on September 11, 2001.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that there had been sound strategical and political relations between Turkey and the United States, and added that economic relations between the two countries should also be further improved.

''I believe that the United States-Turkey Economic Partnership Council would be beneficial to this end,'' he stressed.

Noting that recently adopted laws provided foreign investors with many facilities, Prime Minister Ecevit called on American companies to make more investments in Turkey.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that Turkey was ready to cooperate with the United States in rebuilding of Afghanistan.

The issue of establishment of an organized industrial zone was also taken up at the meeting.

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline was also brought onto agenda of the meeting.

-HITTITE EXHIBITION OPENED IN BONN

BONN - The exhibition ''Hittites: a Nation with one thousand Gods'' was opened on Thursday in Bonn, Germany.

Speaking at inauguration of the exhibition, Culture Minister Istemihan Talay said that Hittite works of art displayed in the exhibition were a treasury in regard to culture, art, ideals of the humanity and friendships.

Thanking those who contributed to opening of the exhibition in Bonn, Talay said that such activities would consolidate friendly relations between Turkey and Germany.

Meanwhile, Wenzel Jacob, the curator of Bonn Culture Hall, said that the Hittite works of art were priceless values shedding light on the past.

Osman Koruturk, the Turkish Ambassador to Germany; Melek Karaca, a deputy of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Undersecretary of German State Ministry for Cultural Affairs; Mehmet Serdar Sonmezay, the Turkish Consul General in Cologne; Ates Oktem, the Turkish Consul General in Duesseldorf; Prof. Dr. Tahsin Ozguc, one of the archaeologists carrying out Hittite excavations; and a number of guests were in attendance at the inauguration.

The exhibition is composed of 161 works of art collected from 16 different museums in Turkey.

The exhibition will remain open till June 9, 2002.

Meanwhile, period of the exhibition ''Troy: the Dream and Fact'' has been extended till April. The exhibition which was opened two months ago, was scheduled to end on January 17.

-GAP REGION EXPORTS 33.6 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF DRIED APRICOT

GAZIANTEP - Exports of dried apricot from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in 2001 decreased 23.8 percent to 33 million 650 thousand U.S. dollars.

In 2000, the region exported 44 million 113 thousand U.S. dollars of dried apricot.

Gaziantep-based Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Association told the A.A on Friday that they exported dried apricot to France, Britain, Germany, the United States, Australia, Israel, Canada, Italy and Spain.

-WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE

ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Friday, ''during Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the United States, steps have been taken to increase economic and commercial relations to the level of political and military relations between the two countries.''

Speaking at the weekly press conference at Cankaya Presidential Palace, Ildem said, ''President Ahmet Necdet Sezer believes that Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to the United States and his contacts with U.S. officials have made an important contribution to further improvement of strategical partnership relation between Turkey and the United States. During Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to the United States, steps have been taken to increase economic and commercial relations to the level of political and military relations between the two countries. We wish that these steps will result in positive developments that are beneficial for both countries.''

When asked, ''there are news stories claming that the stand-by agreement to be signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was delayed because the Banking Law has not been approved yet. What do you think?'' Ildem said, ''the Constitution authorizes the President to scrutinize laws. President Sezer has been examining the Banking Law in detail. His works will be finalized in the period envisaged by the Constitution. At the same time, we know that the IMF, like all international organizations, will respect to the constitutional order in Turkey.''

-ADVANCE TURKISH TROOP GOES TO AFGHANISTAN

ANKARA - An advance Turkish troop arrived in Afghanistan on Friday to hold contacts regarding the Turkish unit to be sent to the region within the framework of the Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sources said that the advance Turkish troop which departed from Turkey early in the morning arrived in Afghanistan at 2.30 p.m.

The troop commanded by General Emin Alp is comprised of 12 personnel.

The advance troop will carry out coordination activities for the settlement of Turkish unit in Afghanistan.

Turkey will take part in the force formed under the coordination of Britain with one company at the beginning. The Turkish unit will be comprised of 261 personnel together with the administrative support units.

Six Turkish officers will be on mission in the international force headquarters.

The highest rank of the Turkish officers to be on mission in Afghanistan will be colonel while the Turkish unit can be increased to a battalion according to the developments.

The exact date of the transfer of Turkish unit to Afghanistan will be set following the completion of necessary preparations.

-TREASURY TO REPAY 2 QUADRILLION 391.5 TRILLION LIRAS IN DOMESTIC DEBT NEXT WEEK

ANKARA - Treasury will repay 2 quadrillion 391.5 trillion Turkish liras (TL) in domestic debt next week.

Within this framework, Treasury will repay 2 quadrillion 170.9 trillion TL to markets and 155.3 trillion TL as redemption of average sales on January 23.

Treasury will repay 33.8 trillion TL to markets and 19.5 trillion TL as redemption of notes issued to the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (IMF) on January 25.

On January 26, Treasury will repay 12 trillion TL as redemption of notes issued to state banks.

Meanwhile, the total domestic debt repayments by the Treasury in January will reach 7 quadrillion 447.8 trillion TL.

-GENERAL DOSTUM MEETS WITH GENERAL STAFF OFFICERS

ANKARA - Ankara which adopts equal position towards ethnic groups in Afghanistan is trying to prevent Uzbek General Rashid Dostum's visit to Turkey from damaging this careful position.

Sources said on Friday that Afghan Deputy Defense Minister Dostum who had come from Afghanistan where stability has been settled for the moment after formation of the interim government to Ankara on Thursday to see his family, met with the General Staff officers the same day.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, sources said that Dostum who had not yet contacted officially with the Foreign Ministry would spend his week-end with his family and he would have other contacts and undergo a check-up.

Schedule for his possible meetings with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem had not been set yet as Ecevit and Cem were currently holding contacts in the United States.

An official at the Afghan Embassy in Ankara said yesterday that Dostum had come to Ankara on a personal visit, but he would meet with Ecevit, Cem and deputy prime ministers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz.

-TOURISM MINISTER SAYS TURKEY IS A COUNTRY MEETING 100 PERCENT OF GERMANY'S DEMAND

FRANKFURT - Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar said on Friday that Turkey was a country which met 100 percent of Germany's demand.

Tasar, who is currently in Frankfurt to attend 33rd Yacht Fair, told a press conference that Turkey reached its tourism target in 2001 despite the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Tourism Minister Tasar said that 11.5 million tourists visited Turkey last year and Turkey raised 8.5 billion U.S. dollars through tourism last year.

Tasar noted that a survey carried out by German tour operator TUI showed that 79 percent of German tourists preferred sea and sun, 8 percent preferred culture and history and 4-5 percent preferred health tourism.

They wanted to promote water sports, diving and yachting possibilities in Turkey to the world by joining the fair, Tasar stated.

Tasar pointed out that German citizens had started to not only acquire assets in Turkey and settle down in Turkey, but also set up lasting bridges between the two countries which would continue the connection between the forthcoming generations.

They believed that tourism sector was the most efficient way to introduce Turkey to the European friends during Turkey's European Union (EU) full membership process, Tasar said.

Tasar stressed that 365 thousand tourists from the United States and 80 thousand tourists from Japan visited Turkey following the September 11th terrorist attacks and noted that Turkey was not a risky country.

The number of tourists who would visit Turkey would exceed 13 million in 2002, Tasar said and stated that they expected 3.5 million Germans to spend holiday in Turkey this year.

Tasar noted that their target was 60 million tourists and 50 billion U.S. dollar income till 2020.

Calling on German tourism sector personnel to invest in Turkey, Tasar said that Turkey was both a safe holiday country and a country advantegous for investments.

Tasar stated that bureaucratic hurdles before foreign investors were lifted by a decision taken at the parliament four days ago and said, ''all the rights recognized to the investors in Turkey will also be given to the foreign businessmen who will make investments in Turkey.''

Tourism Minister Tasar will attend an event to be hosted by Oger Tour this evening to promote Turkish tourism.

-TURKISH AIRLINES PLANE RETURNS TO ISTANBUL AFTER IT TAKES OFF FOR NEW YORK

ISTANBUL - An Airbus 340 type plane of the Turkish Airlines (THY) which was flying from Ankara to New York via Istanbul was called back to Istanbul almost one hour after it had taken off from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on Friday.

Sources said that a Pakistani passenger who had not been identified yet had boarded the plane ''Hakkari'' in Ankara. Pakistani passenger got off the plane due to an unknown reason after the plane came to Istanbul. Then, two suitcases of that passenger were left at Ataturk Airport. The plane took off for New York at 1.30 p.m.

The plane returned to Ataturk Airport almost one hours later with the fear that the Pakistani passenger could have another suitcase on the plane.

Security forces are checking the suitcases after the plane was evacuated.

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