Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-09-28

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

28 SEPTEMBER 2001 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

STRONG SOLIDARITY
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem spoke to the U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, the U.S. President George W. Bush's National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and the U.S. State Secretary and during the contacts Cem gave the message that ''Turkey supports you.''

Stressing that Turkey suffered a lot from terrorism and understood the U.S. well, Cem said terrorism did not have geography and religion. Powell in his part expressed pleasure over this support.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

The European Convention on Fight with Money Laundering aims to improve the cooperation between COE member states against the money collected as a result of drug smuggling, arms smuggling and terrorist incidents.

The convention also foresees harmony in the laws of the member states in fight with these crimes.

FIRST RELEASE THEN DEATH
Zeynep Arikan and Ali Riza Demir, who were on death fast to protest ''F'' type prisons, died on the 343rd day in a house in Sariyer district on Thursday.

Arikan, who started death fasting when she had been kept in Umraniye Prison, was later released from the prison due to health reasons following ''Return to Life Operation.'' Arikan continued her death fasting in a house in Kucukarmutlu. Arikan had involved in attacks on Istanbul Security Directorate in June 16, 1997, and Harbiye Officer's Club on July 14, 1997.

Ali Riza Demir also died on the 343rd day of his death fast. Demir, who was released after benefitting from law on conditional release, continued his death fasting in a house in Kucukarmutlu.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL FROM DYP TO REDUCE NUMBER OF PARLIAMENTARIANS
Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), said the nation expected self sacrificies from the parliament because of the economic difficulties. Ciller wanted number of parliamentarians to be reduced from 550 to 450.

Ciller opened a proposal in connection with the issue to signature. The proposal foresees amendment to Article 75 of the Constitution.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Responding to questions on extradition request of Turkey about Fehriye Erdal from Belgium, Turk said that ''as it is known, the death penalty foreseen for Erdal in Turkey as she is accused of killing Ozdemir Sabanci and the political evaluation of the issue by Belgium, impeded her extradition to Turkey. Yet the Brussels court took a decision to try Erdal for killing a person upon the initiative of Sabanci family. Turkey is ready to provide all sorts of judicial help for trial of Erdal in Belgium.''

PROGRAM MAY CHANGE
Ajay Chhibber, the World Bank Turkey Desk Chief, said small changes could be made on economic program, noting that, the determination of realizable targets in 2002 will both increase the credibility of the economic programme and it will also contribute to the revival of the economy.

State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu received Chhibber the same day.

Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Chhibber said that the Tobacco Law is very important for agricultural reform and farmers.

Chhibber said that the farmers' conditions will improve by the implementation of alternative products system and by getting direct income support, adding that he will also take up privatization issue in his meeting with Minister Karakoyunlu.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

BLACKSEAFOR'S FIRST ACTIVITY STARTS IN GOLCUK
The first activity of the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR) started in Golcuk on Thursday. The multinational sea force was formed by the Black Sea littoral countries.

Admiral Bulent Alpkaya, the Naval Forces Commander, addressed a ceremony held in Fleet Command Naval Force, and said Blackseafor was formed with the participation of the Black Sea littoral countries, for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Black Sea and to increase regional cooperation activities.

Admiral Alpkaya said the Blackseafor at the same time would contribute to the strengthening and development of friendship and cooperation between the naval forces of the member countries.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

According to a statement made by the State Statics Institute (DIE), it was reported that foreign trade deficit decreased 56.8 percent in seven months and reduced to six million U.S. dollars.

SUPPORT TO MUSHARRAF
Presidency Foreign Affairs Chief Advisor Tacan Ildem said President Ahmet Necdet Sezer talked to Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and Kyrgz President Askar Akayev on the phone, and exchanged views with the leaders regarded with the terrorist attacks that occurred in the U.S.

Sezer said, ''friendly and brotherly country Pakistan is going through a difficult period,'' adding that Turkey supports Pakistan in this difficult period.

Sezer said Turkey welcomed decision of Pakistan to take place in international coalition following the attacks in the U.S.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FM CEM'S SUPPORT TOUR
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met the high ranking officials of the U.S. administration in Washington D.C., and discussed the contributions which Turkey would make in fight against terrorism.

Meanwhile, Aydemir Erman, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary and Special Coordinator, gave special information to the U.S. officials about Afghanistan.

-TREASURY'S ROAD-SHOW IN U.S. TO RESUME ON MONDAY
ANKARA- The road show which was organized by the Treasury Undersecretariat to update information on Turkey's economy will resume on Monday.

The road show was postponed after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11.

During the road show, investors in the United States will be informed on economic developments in Turkey.

Sources said that borrowing opportunities in the U.S. markets would also be sought during the road show.

-TURKEY BRIEFS U.S. ON AFGHANISTAN
WASHINGTON D.C.- The United States which waged war against terrorism received briefing at the highest level for the first time on Afghanistan during Ismail Cem's visit to Washington D.C.

Ismail Cem paid a visit to the United States to stress Turkey's support while experience and cooperation of Turkey which suffered from terrorism for long years were shared with the ''strategic partner'' United States.

While Cem and U.S. President George W. Bush's National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice were holding a meeting at the White House, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney joined the meeting.

During the meeting, Foreign Ministry Special Coordinator for Afghanistan Aydemir Erman who is a member of the delegation accompanying Cem, gave detailed information about Turkey's regard of Afghanistan, historical ties and humanitarian aid issue.

Diplomatic sources in Washington D.C. stressed that a representative of a country had for the first time briefed a highest-level official of the U.S. administration.

Sources said that the United States attributed importance especially to the issue of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

Sources said that also Georgia issue had been brought onto the agenda of Cem's meetings with Rice and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Turkey pointed to Georgia's sensitive position in the region while it requested extension of support to Georgia and continuation of close cooperation with the United States. Meanwhile, the U.S. side said that importance was attributed to Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, close consultations with Turkey would continue and it was pleased with close cooperation between Turkey and Georgia, sources said.

The American side gave the message that nobody should doubt about the United States' support to Georgia.

Sources said that also smart sanctions and general situation in Iraq had been assessed at the meeting between Cem and Powell in addition to issues of Georgia and Caucasus.

Diplomatic sources said that Cyprus issue and the European Security and Defense Identity issue had also been discussed at this meeting.

-FM CEM EVALUATES HIS CONTACTS IN THE U.S.
WASHINGTON D.C.- Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Friday that he thought he would find the U.S. administration officials more sensitive as the representatives of a people which experienced the shock of terrorist attacks on September 11, however he said he found an administration evaluating the incidents cautiously and carefully instead of and emotional administration. Cem said this gave him confidence.

Cem spoke to a group of journalists after meeting the U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, the U.S. President George W. Bush's National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell, and the U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Cem said, ''we want fight against terrorism not to be perceived as fight against 'Islamic terrorism.' I thought of saying to the U.S., 'be careful, don't behave emotional and hasty, but I saw that there was no need for this.''

Cem said Turkey intensified on ''seriousness,'' concept following the terrorist attacks in the U.S., noting that he wanted to give the message that, ''Turkey says what it will do, and would do what it said.''

Despite the speculations that the U.S. have requests from many countries including Turkey, Cem said, ''I saw that the U.S. administration was extremely careful toward international coalition against terrorism, and respected realities of every country. It was stressed that the countries which will take part in this coalition will have different contributions within the framework of their realities and internal dynamics, and that they would decide for this contribution. They also share the view that terrorism could not have an excuse, religion and geography. There were very positive and timely talks. My hopes increased for this struggle.''

Pointing out that the messages that will be given by Turkey, which has a particular influence on countries which have Islam tradition, were important, Cem said Turkey's opposition to the exploitation of terrorism was important for the U.S. Cem said, ''Turkey's effectiveness and its location in the great geography are among the expectations of the U.S. They see that Turkey uses this rightly.''

Cem said some special features were seen in attitude of the European Union (EU) so far preventing this exploitation, adding that recent work of the Council of Europe in fight against terrorism was the most serious statement of the EU so far. Cem said, ''I hope this intention would be implemented. We are working together with the EU on this issue. We are waiting for a legal framework to be established.''

Responding to a question that Saudi origin terrorist Osama bin Laden denied to undertake responsibility for the terrorist attacks, Cem said, ''U.S. has reliable information and serious works. We don't think the U.S. will lie or confuse us.''

When asked Bin Laden, who set up a terrorist network in the world, could have links in Turkey, Cem said there was not such an information.

Cem said Turkey did not cover a policy with country definition, noting that Turkey displayed same approach toward terrorism incidents wherever it happens.

Responding to a question that Turkey would give ''bases,'' to the U.S., Cem said, ''if it is used plural, it should be perceived plural. However, we are not talking on military issues.''

Cem said they conveyed to the concerned sides that Pakistan, which is afraid of being a target of a bombardment in case of a probable U.S. operation, is the ''brother of Turkish people.''

Cem said Cheney attributed importance to Turkey's information about Afghanistan, adding that he expressed his pleasure over seeing Turkey's serious attitude in this respect.

Cem is expected to proceed to New York on Friday and meet the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

-BLACKSEAFOR'S FIRST ACTIVATION
-SHIPS DEPART FROM GOLCUK PORT
GOLCUK- The vessels of Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR), a multinational sea force formed by Black Sea littoral states, departed early on Friday from Golcuk Port for their first activation.

Vessels which departed for Istanbul will arrive at Varna Port of Bulgaria on Saturday and later visit Romania's Constanta, Ukraine'nin Odessa, Russia's Novorossiysk and Georgia's Poti ports.

BLACKSEAFOR was formed with the participation of the Black Sea littoral countries, for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Black Sea and to increase regional cooperation activities and to fulfil several duties like search and rescue, humanitarian aid, and environmental protection and to pay visits to the harbours.

BLACSEAFOR which will contribute to the strengthening and development of friendship and cooperation between the naval forces of the member countries was formed in accordance with an agreement signed in Istanbul on April 2, 2001 with the initiative of Turkey and participation of Black Sea littoral countries Georgia, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

Admiral Nusret Guneri from the Turkish Naval Forces will command BLACKSEAFOR for one year.

TCG Fatih (Turkey), BGS Smeli (Bulgaria), GEO Kutaisi (Georgia), RON Macellariu (Romania) RFS Zheleznyakov (Russia) and UPS Cherkasy (Ukraine) vessels are participating in the first activation.

-TWO MORE PERSONS DIE ON DEATH FAST
ISTANBUL - Ayse Bastimur and Ozlem Durakcan, two women who had been on death fast to protest the F type prisons, died in a house in Ankara's Tuzlucayir neighborhood on Friday.

Ankara police took tight security measures around the house.

-ARABUL SAYS ALL ENERGY POLICIES WILL BE FROZEN IN CASE OF A WAR
ISTANBUL - World Energy Council (WEC) Vice President and WEC Turkish National Committee Chairman Huseyin Arabul said on Friday that Turkey's all energy policies would be frozen in case of a war.

Speaking to the A.A about effects of a possible war on Turkey's energy policies, Arabul said, ''in case of a war, God forbid, all our energy policies will be frozen, electricity energy policies which are currently in question will be frozen and all of us will face a veary serious crisis.''

Arabul said he wished there would not be a war.

-CHINA SAYS IT WILL GIVE AGENCY GUARANTEE INSTEAD OF STATE
GUARANTEE WANTED BY TURKEY FOR VARYAG
ANKARA- China said it would give agency guarantee instead of state guarantee wanted by Turkey for the passage of giant platform Varyag from the Turkish Straits.

State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu sent a statement to the Prime Ministry and pointed out that, ''directives given by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit for secure passage were not possible,'' and wanted a new directive to be given.

A delegation, comprised of the experts from Maritime Undersecretariat, met the Chinese delegation the previous day.

The Chinese delegation said they would give agency guarantee instead of state guarantee.

The sides also discussed the reports saying whether or not technical issues, demanded by Turkey for the passage of Varyag, were fulfilled.

The Turkish delegation determined that none of the demands, called for a secure passage, were fulfilled ''seriously,'' noting that demands of the passage could not be an issue of bargaining. The Turkish delegation wanted the issue to be given to them in a written form.

Officials at the Maritime Undersecretariat said, ''our interlocutor is not a commercial company having a strong capital structure. Expressions pertaining to owner of Varyag are not serious.''

As talks are underway about passage of Varyag, the Maritime Undersecretariat said China had not fulfilled a state guarantee, worth of 311,000 U.S. dollars, which it committed to give to a Turkish company in 1996.

Mirzaoglu in his letter recalled this incident as example, and said, ''with the reports of the experts, it has been determined that directives of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to make a secure passage are not possible,'' and stressed that this passage would by risky.

Mirzaoglu said bank letter of guarantee, worth of one billion U.S. dollars, should be taken, and noted that the Chinese company did not exhibit a realistic attitude regarding guarantee.

-NEW LEGISLATION YEAR OF PARLIAMENT TO START ON OCTOBER 1
ANKARA- New legislation year of the parliament will start on October 1. Parliament currently continues its extraordinary meeting on constitutional amendment bill.

Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party, members of Council of Ministers, Political Party leaders, Parliamentary Chairmanship Council members, Commission Chairmen, and parliamentarians will attend the ceremonies.

Parliamentary General Committee will convene at 15:00 local time under the leadership of Izgi.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will make the opening speech of the new legislation year after Izgi's speech.

-CENTRAL BANK SELLS 20 MILLION DOLLARS
ANKARA- Central Bank sold 20 million U.S. dollars in an auction it held on Friday to sell foreign exchange to banks.

The average bid in the auction which the Central Bank held within framework of forex auctions program became 1 million 521 thousand 148 Turkish liras (TL).

Maximum bid was 1 million 530 thousand TL and the minumum bid was 1 million 515 thousand 200 TL.

-BRIEFING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
ANKARA - Presidency Foreign Affairs Chief Advisor Tacan Ildem said on Friday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer talked to Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian President, on the phone.

Ildem, who held a news conference at Presidential Palace, said Sezer called Mubarak on Thursday evening and exchanged views regarding the situation in the Middle East and the developments following the terrorist attacks in the United States. Ildem said Sezer called Mubarak as a continuation of the telephone talks he made yesterday and the day before yesterday.

Pointing out that Turkey and Egypt were the two countries who suffered a lot from terrorism, Ildem recalled that Egypt proposed an international conference to be held within the framework of the United Nations (U.N.) on fight against terrorism following the terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Ildem said President Sezer pointed out that none of the countries should remain indifferent to terrorism, and stressed the importance of internatonal cooperation in fight against terrorism.

Sezer said Turkey supported proposal of Egypt about international conference.

Mubarak in his part said it was natural for Egypt, as a country which suffered a lot from terrorism, to take part in an international cooperation in fight against terrorism.

Mubarak expressed pleasure over Sezer's support to their proposal for an international conference. He also said they supported Turkey's views stressing the importance of international cooperation in fight against terrorism.

The two presidents agreed on not identifying terrorism with a specific religion, language and race.

Ildem said the sides also discussed the developments in the Middle East.

Stressing that bringing a solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict soon was very important, Sezer said talks between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres were beneficial in this respect.

Mubarak said he also shared those views.

Mubarak said he appreciated the contributions of Turkey to the Middle East peace process, and wanted those efforts to continue.

Ildem said Sezer invited Mubarak to Turkey for a working visit.

Ildem later responded to the questions of reporters.

When asked how he evaluated Turkey's starting telephone diplomacy following the telephone call of the U.S. President George Bush, or if such a request came from the U.S. or if those talks take place against the criticisms made in Turkish public to undertake a more active role, Ildem said, ''no such request came from the U.S. or any other country. There is no need for a country to get inspiration or incentive from another country to launch initiatives. Turkey evaluates the issue within the framework of its own views, national interests, and exchange of information with the other regional countries and launches necessary initiatives when time comes.''

Ildem said criticisms coming from the public also did not have any influence as all concerned authorities evaluate the incidents calmly and meticulously and in an effective cooperation and coordination following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11.

Responding to a question which said, ''there are evaluations that, a step has been taken, is there a new alliance underway in the region against terrorism with the telephone talks of the President?'' Ildem said, ''evaluation of the developments may require some steps. The President believed in the necessity of such kind of contacts in this atmosphere. We have bilateral cooperation with those countries in fight against terrorism. It is very natural for the regional countries to exchange views on such an important issue.''

-1.7 MILLION PEOPLE VISIT TURKEY IN JULY
ANKARA- Number of foreigners visiting Turkey in July increased 16.5 percent this year when compared with the same period of last year.

A total of 1.777.846 people visited Turkey in July. Last year, this number was 1.525.742.

According to the data of the State Institute of Statistics (DIE), 14 percent of the visitors preferred airway.

Number of foreigners visiting Turkey rose 21.3 percent in January-July period and reached 6.593.507 people.

This figure was 5.435.944 in last January-July period.

-DELEGATION HEADED BY DERVIS DUE TO U.S. ON SATURDAY
ANKARA- An economy delegation headed by State Minister Kemal Dervis will leave on Saturday for the United States to finalize talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) within framework of the 10th Review.

Sources said on Friday that the delegation comprising Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak, Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, Central Bank Economic Researches Director General Zafer Yukseler, Finance Ministry Budget and Fiscal Control Director General Durmus Oztek and State Planning Organization (DPT) officials will make 2002 year macro economic targets definite in the United States.

The delegation which will leave for Washington D.C. on Saturday will start talks with the IMF on Sunday.

State Minister Dervis will meet IMF European One Department Director Michael Deppler on Sunday while delegation members will hold technical works with their IMF colleagues.

On Monday, Dervis will meet U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neil and IMF First Deputy managing Director Anne Krueger and later he will hold a news conference at the Turkish Embassy.

The delegation will meet World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) officials on Monday. IFC's contribution to real sector is expected to be discussed at the meeting.

On Tuesday, Dervis will visit IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler and meet World Bank Vice President for Europe Johannes Linn.

On Wednesday, Dervis will attend a breakfast that will be hosted by the Turkish-American Business Council. Later, Dervis will meet World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn and hold a press conference at the Turkish Embassy.

The delegation will continue technical talks with the IMF on Thursday and Friday while they are expected to return to Turkey at next week end.

IMF will approve 3 billion U.S. dollars of loan tranche to Turkey if IMF Executive Directors approve the 10th Review.

-GREEK WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM TO VISIT ANKARA
ANKARA - Greece's Stavros Rhodos Kalithies Women's Soccer Team will come to Ankara on Oct. 5 as the guest of Gazi University.

The team will play a game with Gazi University's women's soccer team on Oct. 6, Saturday.

Gazi University Rector's Office will host the soccer team during their three-day visit.

It was reported that the visit also aims to contribute to Turkish-Greek friendship.

University Rector Prof. Riza Ayhan will host a dinner for the Greek soccer players at Gazi University's facilities at Golbasi.S

-TEB AND CITIBANK REVISE INTEREST RATES
ISTANBUL- Turk Ekonomi Bankasi (TEB) and Citibank revised the interest rates for Turkish lira (TL) deposits on Friday.

Releasing a statement, TEB said that interest rate for 1-month TL deposits would be 65 percent, and interest rate for 3 and 6-month TL deposits would 67 percent and interest rate for 1-year TL deposits would be 48 percent.

TEB said that interest rate for 1-month U.S. dollar and German mark deposits would be 6 percent and interest rate would be 5 percent in other maturities.

Meanwhile, Citibank said that interest rate for 6-month TL deposits was decreased from 69 to 68 percent, and interest rate for 9-month TL deposits was increased from 69 to 70 percent.

-SPORTS-EURO 2002 U-21 QUALIFIYING GROUP 4
-COACH CETINER NAMES SQUAD FOR AWAY MATCH AGAINST MACEDONIA
ISTANBUL - Coach Rasit Cetiner named on Friday the squad for the European Championsip Under-21 qualifying group 4 match against Macedonia on October 5.

Lawrance Sammut of Malta will referee the match which will start at 07:00 p.m. Turkish local time at the Republican Stadium in Chisinau.

Turkey's squad is as follows:

Serhat Akin, Oguz Daglaroglu (Fenerbahce), Tayfun Seven, Fatih Sen, Murat Hacioglu (Bursaspor), Kursat Duymus, Koray Avci (Caykur Rizespor), Mehmet Yozgatli, Selcuk Sahin (Istanbulspor), Ismail Gulduren, Beyhan Sumer (Genclerbirligi), Gokdeniz Karadeniz (Trabzonspor), Cihan Haspolatli (Kocaelispor), Mehmet Nas, Mehmet Yilmaz (Samsunspor), Berkant Goktan (Galatasaray), Kemal Arslan (Gaziantepspor), Orkun Usak (Elazigspor), Fatih Sonkaya (Roda JC Kerkrade).

-GAP REGION EXPORTS GOODS TO 110 COUNTRIES AND 7 FREE AREAS IN 8 MONTHS
GAZIANTEP - Exports of more than 100 sorts of agricultural, animal and industrial products from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region to 110 countries and 7 free areas in first 8 months of 2001 rose 13.9 percent to 403 million 956 thousand U.S. dollars.

In the same period last lear, the region had exported 354 million 523 thousand U.S. dollars of products to 98 countries and 11 free areas.

Southeast Anatolian Exporters Associations Chairman Abdulkadir Cikmaz said on Friday that 247 million 827 thousand U.S. dollars of textiles, 65 million 651 thousand U.S. dollars of grain-cereals, 51 million 942 thousand U.S. dollars of fresh fruits and vegetables and industrial products, 30 million 554 thousand U.S. dollars of dried fruits and 7 million 982 thousand U.S. dollars of live stock and animal products had been exported in the January-August 2001 period.

Cikmaz said they had exported highest amount of products to Iraq and thread became the mostly exported product.

Cikmaz said they had exported 146,578 thousand U.S. dollars products to Europe, 123,581 thousand U.S. dollars products to Middle East, 20,179 thousand U.S. dollars products to America, 7,471 thousand U.S. dollars products to Asia, 8,554 thousand U.S. dollars products to Commonwealth of Independent States, 18,067 thousand U.S. dollars products to Turkish republics, 11,887 thousand U.S. dollars products to Africa, and 67,369 thousand U.S. dollars products to other countries and free areas.

Cikmaz said they had entered markets of Ireland, Ethiopia, Belarus, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Tanzania, Mongolia, North Korea, Sudan, Niger, Zambia, Dominic Republic, Philippines, Trinidad&Tobago, Ivory Coasts, Thailand and Taiwan in first 8 months of 2001.

He said that in the same period, they couldn't export goods to Macao, Dagestan, Tatarstan, Angola, Bangladesh and Venezuela.

-TOURISM PROMOTION CAMPAIGN TO START IN NOVEMBER
ANTALYA- Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar has said that a promotion campaign would start in November and that his ministry asked for 125 million U.S. dollars fund from the Finance Ministry.

Tasar told the A.A that he attended a meeting entitled ''The Future of Tourism'' in Germany and he observed that there was a great interest for Turkey which is regarded as an indispensible country for tour operators.

''Especially the German tourists are very interested in Turkey. Three million tourists from only Germany visited Antalya this year and we are expecting this figure to double in 2002. The number of German tourists visiting Turkey will increase to 11 million in ten years,'' he said.

''We'll start our promotion campaing beginning of November. Turkey spent 40 million U.S. dollars for promotion last year. We asked for 125 million U.S. dollars from the Finance Ministry for next year. From the Finance Ministry, we also asked for 20 trillion TL to remove the shortcomings in infrastructures in tourism areas and another 9.5 trillion TL for promotion, '' he explained.

Tasar also declared that the Tourism Ministry would open branches in Poland and China, two countries of increasing importance for Turkish tourism.

Tourims Ministry Undersecretary Savas Kuce also said he had very positive impressions in Germany.

-WORLD BANK TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE CHHIBBBER:
''WE WANT TO HELP TURKEY IN PREPARATION OF A UNIVERSAL
LAW OF ADJUDICATION''
ANKARA- Ajay Chhibber, the World Bank Turkey Representative, said on Friday that they wanted to help Turkey in preparation of a universal law of adjudication.

Chhibber, who visited Abdulkadir Akcan, the Minister of Housing and Public Works, said they wanted to help Turkey in preparation of a universal law of adjudication which will be able to meet the international, EU and the World Bank bidding methods.

Akcan, the Minister of Housing and Public Works, said implementation of the new law of adjudication was as well important as its issuing.

Akcan said the law should be healthy, influential and should meet the needs of the country.

Chhibber said the law of adjudication, which is prepared according to the international standards, include articles which protect own companies of each country.

Chhibber said the new law of adjudication will have some articles to protect Turkish entrepreneurs and constructors. He said there were articles in projects, which the World Bank financed in Turkey, protecting Turkish entrepreneurs.

-SECURITY DIRECTOR GENERAL RETURNS FROM HUNGARY
-ONAL: ''TERRORIST INCIDENT IN U.S. IS CONSIDERED
A STARTING POINT REGARDING SECURITY MEASURES''
ISTANBUL- Security Director General Kemal Onal who had attended 70th Interpol General Assembly in Budapest, Hungary returned to Turkey on Friday.

Speaking to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Onal said that the meeting had mostly focused on terrorist attacks in the United States.

Onal said that FBI and CIA officials had explained the terrorist attacks in detail and that they had evaluated the incident.

''As the Turkish delegation, we made two presentations on terrorism and human smuggling. Political definition of terrorism was discussed at the meeting. A consensus of opinion was reached at the meeting that terrorism became an international disaster and each country should adopt the same concept of terrorism. This was approved as a final statement. Also cooperation with Europol was discussed. On my personal view, this terrorist incident in tne United States is considered a starting point regarding security measures. Meanwhile, participating countries especially stressed that they wanted to benefit from our experiences in fight against terrorism, '' he said.

Recalling that he had also held bilateral contacts with Spanish, Italian, British, U.S. and German Interpol official, Onal said that the meeting was beneficial and decisions they took should be put into practice as soon as possible.

Onal said that the next Interpol General Assembly would be held in Cameroon.

-NSC MEETING ENDS
-NSC STATEMENT: ''DEVELOPMENTS REGARDED WITH TERRORIST ATTACKS
IN THE U.S., ITS PROBABLE EFFECTS ON TURKEY, AND MEASURES THAT
CAN BE TAKEN ARE EVALAUTED''
ANKARA - National Security Council (NSC) on Friday adopted to extend necessary support to the United States in fight against terrorism.

NSC General Secretariat issued a statement and said Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; state ministers and deputy prime ministers Devlet Bahceli, Mesut Yilmaz and Husamettin Ozkan; National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu; Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen; Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, the Land Forces Commander; Gen. Cumhur Asparuk, the Air Forces Commander; Admiral Bulent Alpkaya, the Naval Forces Commander; Gen. Aytac Yalman, the Gendarme General Commander; Gen. Tuncer Kilinc, the NSC Secretary General participated the meeting.

State ministers and deputy prime ministers Mesut Yilmaz, Devlet Bahceli, and Husamettin Ozkan also attended the meeting. State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel attended a specific part of the meeting.

The statement said, ''foreign political incidents, closely concerning the security of Turkey, were reviewed, and terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, its probable effects, and the measures that can be taken were evaluated. A decision was adopted to extend necessary support to the United States in fight against terrorism.''

The statement said, ''the requirement and importance of international solidarity and cooperation against such kind of incidents, which caused killing and wounding of many innocent people, and financial and moral loss, were discussed. It has been stressed that every kind of efforts would be supported which will not harm national interests of Turkey.''

It said, ''under the light of the security reports belonging to past one month, activities which give damage to the security of the country, measures taken against them, were reviewed. Also, within this framework, information was given regarding the implementation of Fight Against Fundamentalism Strategy, which was prepared to prevent fundamentalist activities.''

The report said, ''implementation of the Action Plan, which was prepared for the strengthening of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and a related report were discussed, and importance of maintenance of the support activities, foreseen in the plan, were stressed.

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