Anadolu Agency: News in English, 02-02-13

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ANADOLU AJANSI

HABERLER

13 January

2002 Wednesday

Türkiye

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Sanat-Magazin

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CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THEY HAVE TO BE CALM ABOUT AEGEAN ISSUE

[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS QUAKE TRAGEDY HAS GIVEN THEIR NATIONS A VERY SIMPLE

[04] FM CEM SAYS CONCEPTIONAL PERCEPTION ABOUT ''THE OTHER''

[05] PROFESSOR ORTAYLI: ''EAST SHOULD TRY TO LEARN ABOUT WEST, AND VISA VERSA''

[06] DENKTAS AND CLERIDES TO MEET FOR 12TH TIME ON THURSDAY

[07] WORL BANK VICE PRESIDENT LINN COMES TO TURKEY

[08] PRESS RELEASE OF OIC-EU JOINT FORUM (1)

[09] FM CEM:''THE MEANING 'THE OTHER' HAS IN POLITICS HAS ALWAYS BEEN NEGATIVE''

[10] AK PARTY LEADER: ''IT IS SO NATURAL THAT TURKEY HAS COOPERATION WITH IMF, OF WHICH IT IS A FOUNDER MEMBER AND PARTNER''

[11] PRESS RELEASE OF OIC-EU JOINT FORUM (2)

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

IRAQ IN MOVEMENT OF COMPROMISE
Following his meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri Ahmad al- Hadithi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''he uttered words that could be understood as meaning Iraq is ready to find a compromise. I had the impression of movement.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

PUBLIC OFFERING WITH 50 MILLION TL BONDS
Treasury announced that it would sell 174-day bonds through public offering on February 14 and 15. The period interest rate of bonds which will be sold at the multiples of 50 million Turkish liras (TL) was foreseen to be 28 percent, annual simple inrerest rate was foreseen to be 58.57 percent and annual composite interest rate was foreseen to be 67.60 percent. The maturity is August 7, 2002.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

WE ARE NOT FEARED OF DIALOGUE
The future of Turkish-Greek relations was set within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum organized in Istanbul. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou held a private meeting on Tuesday and decided to discuss the critical issues about which the two countries were sensitive.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

SOLANA SAYS WOMEN'S RIGHTS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED
European Union (EU) Common Defense and Foreign Policy High Commissioner said that he was against the establishment of a correlation between Islam and terrorism following the September 11th terrorist attacks. Solana said that the Islam world could not be limited with only one geography and noted that many Muslims were living in the West. These people belonged to both of the cultures, Solana stated. Solana requested that people should not be feared of clearly voicing the differences among the cultures and gave women's rights and capital punishment as an example.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

GREEK CYPRIOT-TURKISH MINI CRISIS
At the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and European Union (EU) Joint Forum, ''protocol war'' occured between the representatives of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cypriot administration. The Greek Cypriot administration was angry at TRNC representative to be referred to as ''minister.'' The delegation from Spain, the EU Term PResident, found a solution by using the expression ''representatives of the Turkish Cypriot Muslim community.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

NEW STROKE ON INVESTORS
On one hand the government opened to signature the draft law before the foreign investors, on the other hand Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu said that they would bring forth new obstacles for supermarkets in which the foreigners were interested the most. Tanrikulu said that establishment of the markets that were bigger than 400 square metres would be subject to permission.

CENSURE MOTION REJECTED
Parliamentary General Assembly discussed on Tuesday the censure motion against Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the Council of Ministers presented by True Path Party Denizli deputy Mehmet Gozukaya and his 22 friends. The parliament rejected to include the censure motion into the agenda. The censure motion claimed that there were some unjust treatments towards tobacco producers and that policies to liquidate Turkish agriculture, farmer and animal breeding were being implemented.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

CHOMSKY TO APPEAR AT DGM TODAY
American philospher and linguist Noam Avram Chomsky came to Istanbul for the hearing of the case filed against his book published in Turkey. Chomsky said that he would go to southeastern Diyarbakir province in the light of the information he received from the human rights defenders. Chomsky will attend the hearing at Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) on Wednesday which was filed against the publisher of his book entitled ''American Interventionism.'' The DGM Prosecutor's Office had filed a lawsuit against publisher Fatih Tas on charges that Chomsky criticized policies against Kurds in his book published by Aram Yayinlari (Publication). The prosecutor asks for one year of imprisonment for the publisher.

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS HIS GREEK, BULGARIAN AND ROMANIAN COUNTERPARTS
I

STANBUL - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met on Wednesday with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, Bulgarian counterpart Solomon Pasi, and Romanian counterpart Mircea Geoana.

The quartet meeting of Turkish, Greek, Bulgarian and Romanian foreign ministers within the scope of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum began at 8.15 a.m. at the Ciragan Palace.

NATO members Turkey and Greece aim to support NATO membership processes of Bulgaria and Romania through this meeting.

Meanwhile, Cem is expected to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Naji Sabri Ahmad al-Hadithi the same day.

The OIC-EU Joint Forum will begin with the panel discussion on ''Who is 'the Other?' Does it Really Exist?''

Council of Europe (COE) Secretary General Walter Schwimmer is the moderator of the panel discussion. The panel discussion will take place between 9.30 a.m. and noon.

The Forum will end with a press statement at 12.30 p.m. and a closing lunch at 1.00 p.m.

After the closing session, some of the foreign delegations are expected to visit historical and touristic sites of Istanbul.

[02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THEY HAVE TO BE CALM ABOUT AEGEAN ISSUE

Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou said that they aimed to promote Turkish- Greek relations.

Papandreou noted that the talks on the dialogue process between the two countries had begun and said that they had to be calm about the Aegean issue and take steps carefully.

He was ''optimistic'' about dialogue process, Papandreou stated and when asked if he was hopeful, Papandreou said, ''always.''

Touching on the quartet meeting among foreign ministers of Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Papandreou said that they supported NATO memberships of Romania and Bulgaria.

Papandreou stated that the memberships of Romania and Bulgaria would bring stability to the region and contribute to NATO members.

[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS QUAKE TRAGEDY HAS GIVEN THEIR NATIONS A VERY SIMPLE

Papandreou stressed that they had met at the forum for the dialogue of the countries and civilizations and said that this was an important issue.

The concept ''the other'' existed, Papandreou noted. He said that what was important was how the concept of ''the other'' was defined and to what extent they were respectful. Papandreou said that in the end, all were human beings.

Touching on the incidents in Yugoslavia, Papandreou said that certain concerns had occurred in the region following those incidents and that ''the memories coming from the old generations were active in the minds in Greece.''

Papandreou said that because, there was not any frame in which the incidents could be interpreted and that there were concerns that wars would spread and that an effective group or a religion could try to dominate the other.

The situation was not easy, Papandreou noted and stated that there was the risk that these fears could be used in both his country and in another country.

Papandreou said that there was the risk to say that the real problem was resulting from the other one.

A great ''myth psychology'' could be created by turning around a problem, Papandreou noted.

Papandreou said that in the end of this, it would be very difficult to solve the main problem.

When they did this, it was not right to talk with ''the other'' because it was the enemy not the friend, Papandreou noted.

Papandreou said that they could say that they would not talk with ''the other'' because ''they were wicked.''

Fear was a very bad fact, Papandreou pointed out and said that how could they change such a situation.

Papandreou said that this was their real problem in both the Balkans and the Turkish-Greek relations.

If they wanted to change such a situation, then they should look at the experiences and historical events, Papandreou pointed out.

Papandreou said that the incidents which were happening currently led to lack of confidence in the societies and that adaptation and ability to understand was the most important duties of every politician.

Politicians had to know how to deal with the problems and bring forth solutions that could be accepted by the citizens, Papandreou stated.

Papandreou said that they had to live pragmatically and that they should direct themselves to the solution of problems by choosing the difficult path and by ignoring the first psychological good feelings.

They had that determination when Cem and he started to take that difficult first step in Turkish-Greek relations, Papandreou noted.

Papandreou said that they were facing a difficult mission and they told each other to progress slowly.

''We said, let's see what our common problems are, let's see what our common interests are as the citizens of two neighbouring countries rather than looking at Turkish mythology, and let's see if we can find a common ground. Ten agreements were signed that way,'' Papandreou said.

Papandreou pointed out that then, a tragic event, earthquake was experienced and said, ''this tragedy has given a very simple message to our people, that is 'we are all human.' OK, we are human, we have some weaknesses as humans. So, we are not those evils and devils as we see each other. An extremely deep humanitarian solidarity feeling came out of this tragedy. And, we, Ismail Cem and I, could perceive this message of our people, interpreted it correctly and developed it. When we were doing this, we enabled our societies to work together.''

This was very important, Papandreou noted, ''because we call it dialogue, solidarity, civil society and 'the diplomacy of people' to overcome the cliche about 'the other.' Only this way, we could bring our countries and nations closer.''

Papandreou stressed that this did not mean that ''there was not any problems'' between the two countries.

''Of course we have problems. The interests of Turkey and Greece are not all the same. We have different interests. But, the real solution should be reaching a level where we can make an agreement in practice without 'seeming as saviors by using the fears and concerns of people' if we exert utmost efforts and if we approach to the problems with a different point of view. Only this way, we can overcome the cliches which divide us. So, we have to overcome the cliches and ensure our people to join this process. We have to educate our socities. And, we have to ensure that 'tolerance and accepting the other' should become a part of our mentality, daily life and political practices by forming necessary educational systems in the long term,'' Papandreou said.

Papandreou noted that they were not only willing to change the world voluntarily and said that they had to evaluate the incidents psychologically.

Regional cooperation was a need in their region now, Papandreou said.

Papandreou added, ''to this end, we are not waking up one morning and say 'we will all be good persons any more.' A second thing that Cem has mentioned is very important. We, in the Balkans, in our region, often say that 'the war here is not between the Albanians and the Serbians. It is between those who want tolerance, moderateness, democracy, transparency and sincerity, and those who want violence, conflict and clash, authoritarian administration and exclusion. To this end, we are leaving aside ethnic borders and definitions and open a comprehensive political discussion.''

[04] FM CEM SAYS CONCEPTIONAL PERCEPTION ABOUT ''THE OTHER''

Cem said that his Greek counterpart George Papandreou presented very useful ideas to the panel, reminding that famous writer Edward Said presented the concept of the ''other'' to the world as a need in both domestic and foreign politics. The religious, regional or national differences were described as the other in the history.

Stressing that the concept of the other had negative elements in it, Cem said that ''for instance, Warsaw Pact was the other for Nato, the Nato was the other for Warsaw Pact. We see that there are reasons and interests behind it. This can be a political interest or economic one. When we talk about the other, there is always an interest. There are always national interests in question when we call a country 'the other' in foreign policy. This concept of 'the other' is generally used to distract your own people's interest from certain issues. The other can be a different country, a different nation or a part of your own population and nation.'' This is particularly seen in racism and religious discrimination and the concept is widely used, as it is easier to exploit, said Cem and noted that 'the other' is an excuse created by the people and administrations themselves.

''For instance, Russians were 'the other' for Turkey when there was the Soviet Union. But the conditions and realities changed. For instance, we had a very interesting meeting with our two Balkan neighbours Romania and Bulgaria this morning. We have perfect relations with Bulgaria today, but ten-twelve years ago, Bulgaria was 'the other' for Turkey. This has changed. It is the same case between Turkey and Greece,'' said Cem.

Noting that the concept of 'the other' changed in a positive way recently, Cem said that the concept which was earlier defined according to the regional, religious or national borders, started to be defined according to the values today.

''We can say that 'the other' takes part in terrorist activities or violates human rights. The other threatens or violates certain values. There is change in the quality of its meaning, this is a positive definition,'' Cem said.

Noting that removing the concept of the other will be through dialogue, participation and human dialogue, Cem said that ''this is a process, and we are not on a wrong path.''

Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer, who directed the panel discussion said in the beginning of the session that ''the real question is not whether or not the other exists, but who is this other and how we treat it?''

Noting that everybody irrespective of his/her religion, race, origin, and country, should contribute to human rights, Schwimmer said that everybody is the other according to another one. ''We must today take one more step than the question of 'who is the other?' and we must accept that 'all of us are the other'.''

Speaking after the speech of Cem, Schwimmer said that when somebody talks about 'the other' he/she talks about certain values.

Noting that the EU tries to create a society of values, Schwimmer said that ''particularly the Southeast Europe is very important. The former borders were dividing ones. Today, we want differences to be connected to each other. We want cooperation in culture. We want to make cooperation with our neighbours. The Sultans of the Dance, which we watched yesterday and which was a very beautiful show showed us that difference and variety can be so beautiful.''

[05] PROFESSOR ORTAYLI: ''EAST SHOULD TRY TO LEARN ABOUT WEST, AND VISA VERSA''

Ortayli noted that ''the other'' was people who spoke another language, who had different beliefs and who behaved differently.

People did not exert enough efforts to recognize and understand ''the other'', Ortayli stated.

Talking about Islam and Islam civilization, if a leading person in the European Union (EU) says ''they also exist but, we do not recognize them well'', this would be a small scandal, Ortayli said.

Ortayli noted that people should respect to cultures of each other and said, ''learning about the culture and life of the other is the duty and homework of everybody. The East should try to learn about the West, and visa versa. This will bring people closer. The other does not exist.''

They had entered into a new period, Ortayli said and noted that the eastern people were trying to understand more about the western people.

Ortayli stated that the western people should also do the same.

Reminding the listeners about the words of Professor Bernard Lewis who said that irrespective of they knew or recognize each other or not, the civilizations existed, Ortayli said, ''at least, we have started to see and recognize these civilizations. This is also a development.''

Ortayli noted that the concept of ''Istanbul spirit'' had been voiced by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine on Tuesday.

Napoleon and August Comte had earlier said that ''Istanbul was a crossroads, it is an intersection of different roads, regions and beliefs'', Ortayli said.

Ortayli added, ''to this end, there is not any division or difference. There should not be any conflict. The destinies of the countries are not different from each other. We have to meet with newly-founded organizations because we need each other.''

Tunisian academician Dr. Hasin Fantar said that he was an Arab, but that there was ''the other'' in the hall they were holding their meeting.

Fantar noted that to this end, he was delivering his speech in a language that could be understood by everybody in the hall.

''The other'' could be defined ''as a person different from me'', Fantar said.

''I also exist at a certain extent within the scope of the other. If the other exists, I also exist. If the other lives and is present, I am also present,'' Fantar noted.

Fantar stated that his words might be regarded as philosophy, but such a philosophy would help formation of a policy.

''I hope the politicians will form their policies within this framework,'' Fantar added.

[06] DENKTAS AND CLERIDES TO MEET FOR 12TH TIME ON THURSDAY

Denktas and Clerides will present documents on territory issue to each other at the meeting in which United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto will also participate.

This week's meetings between Denktas and Clerides will take place on Thursday and Friday as the members of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot delegations joining the direct talks attended Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Meeting in Istanbul.

[07] WORL BANK VICE PRESIDENT LINN COMES TO TURKEY

Linn who is expected to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, ministers for economy and economy officials on Thursday, will proceed to Istanbul on Friday.

Linn is also expected to participate in another conference entitled ''fighting against corruption'' organized by Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) in Istanbul.

Johannes Linn, who is planned to meet with the officials of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ISO) and Turkish Banks Organization (TBB), will proceed to Antalya on Saturday.

Linn, who will see the educational projects supported by the bank in its place on Saturday, is expected to examine the agricultural projects in Antalya on Sunday.

Johannes Linn will depart from Turkey on February 18.

Meanwhile, sources said that Linn would focus on financial sector, relations between financial sector and real sector, direct investments and fight against corruption in his contacts.

The negotiations with the World Bank delegation regarding the 1.3 billion U.S. dollars of public and financial sector special adjustment loan (PSFSAL2) were completed the previous week.

Bank officials have started to examine the report of the delegation.

Vice President Linn is foreseen to hold contacts regarding the additional financial assistance loan necessary for the financial sector.

Linn is also expected to hold contacts regarding the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) which is planned to be operated within this year.

Meanwhile, the World Bank commits to extend a total of 3 billion U.S. dollars of loan to Turkey this year, including the PSFSAL2 worth of 1.3 billion U.S. dollars.

The interest rate of this loan, to be extended under suitable conditions, is +Libor 0.75 percent and its maturity is 17 years. It will not be repaid for 5 years.

[08] PRESS RELEASE OF OIC-EU JOINT FORUM (1)

In this context, the ''two state'' solution will contribute to bring peace and security to the peoples concerned, the press release noted.

The press release drew the attention that history has taught them that the lack of mutual knowledge and respect among civilizations can greatly affect world stability and peace. It said that harmony and welfare are nurtured when different peoples make communication a priority, taking the time to express and listen to each other's views and interests, acknowledging and tolerating differences, while at the same time seeking out commonalities that can help build strong relationships that promote political and economic cooperation.

The press release said that the tragic events of September 11th and their repercussions have shown the need to strengthen tolerance and understanding among different cultures to avoid reapperance of deeply rooted prejudices that can surface.

''The horrifying attacks of September 11th are purely brutal acts of terrorism and they cannot be explained or justified for religion, cultural or any other reasons whatsoever. On the other hand, September 11th has also sparked a growing consciousness of the need for all sides to discuss and attempt to better understand the differences in perceptions, values and interests, as well as to promote tolerance and appreciation for cultural diversity among them. We jointly have a responsibility to address and resolve issues which can lead to divisions within and between our communities, to embrace and value our diversities, and to promote and uphold the valueas we all share,'' the statement noted.

(To be continued)

[09] FM CEM:''THE MEANING 'THE OTHER' HAS IN POLITICS HAS ALWAYS BEEN NEGATIVE''

Noting that representatives of certain countries who participated in the Forum and panel voiced criticisms telling that there were no representatives from certain countries and institutions, Cem said that Turkey invited Secretary General of African League and representatives of leading international organizations to the Forum.

Cem said that the Secretary General of African League could not participate in the meeting due to an obstacle, adding that nevertheless the Forum has been a good atmosphere to discuss many issues.

Referring to the issue of ''the Other,'' Cem said that ''certainly if there was not 'the other,' we would not exist. This is natural and a dialectical approach. Certainly there are differences, first of all we have to come together in order to record progress in reaching an agreement even on the basic little points. People can't share the same ideas in all issues. There can be differences of opinion even in one country and nation.''

This meeting made him very happy, said Cem and noted that ''I believe that we will have opportunities to be together in the future. In the coming years the concept of 'the other' will lost its significance and disappear.''

COE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer said in his part that the dialogue between the OIC-EU has been a starting point, adding they didn't expect immediate results.

Schwimmer said that dialogue meant starting to talk and to get to know each other better, adding that this has to continue and education carries great importance for dialogue.

Noting that the approach of history books is also important in respect of dialogue, Schwimmer said that the young generations have to regard themselves as ''partner'' rather than ''enemy.''

Having variety in language, tradition and culture is the richness of the humanity, he said adding that ''I believe in one universal civilization, not in clash of civilizations.'' Schwimmer added that people have to respect differences, as this is an important step to be taken for the common future of the humanity.

[10] AK PARTY LEADER: ''IT IS SO NATURAL THAT TURKEY HAS COOPERATION WITH IMF, OF WHICH IT IS A FOUNDER MEMBER AND PARTNER''

Touching on his visit to the United States, Erdogan said, ''during my visit, I tried to hold beneficial contacts for my party and our country. I would like to say that we have reached more targets than we had expected.''

[11] PRESS RELEASE OF OIC-EU JOINT FORUM (2)

The forum reaffirms its strong belief that cultures, in their diversity, complement an enhance one another, the press release said.

The press release stated that the attendees expressed their belief in the harmony among the civilizations.

The main means to support coherence and solidarity and to avoid racial, religious and cultural prejudices is to enhance their knowledge of one another through communication and cooperation for the promotion of common universal values, the press release said.

The press release noted, ''to this end, two political organizations, the EU and the OIC have a joint responsibility to contribute to the achievement of these goals.''

The press release said that the Forum has concluded that there is a need for further cooperation and proposes that existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks continue to be used for general debate on the issues raised during the meeting.

The statement pointed out that the Forum noted with appreciation the invitation of Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamad Bin Jabir al-Thani in his capacity as current Chairman of OIC to host OIC-EU Troika meeting in the second half of the current year, in Doha and thanked the Government of Turkey for the initiative and effort in organizing the Forum that constituted an event of great political significance.

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