Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-12-22

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

22 December 2001

Saturday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 22, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Former Sisli Mayor Gulay Cokay will be extradited to Turkey. London Bow Street Court of Peace decided to extradite Cokay to Turkey while Cokay has the right to appeal the verdict. Judge Wichs said that he did not think that Asliturk was being punished because of her political views and that such allegations were untrue. There are nine separate accusations regarding Cokay.

KOC: ''WE WILL END 2001 WITH 9 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TURNOVER''

Koc Holding Chairman Rahmi Koc instructed the high-level administrators of the holding to give priority to the customers in 2002. The 15th Koc Holding high-level administrators meeting was held at Rahmi Koc Industry Museum. Rahmi Koc said that the holding would end the year 2001 with a turnover of 9 billion U.S. dollars.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

There is economic crisis in Turkey but everybody is not feeling the economic crisis at the same level. For example, cars like Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari are sold like compulsory needs. Ten Ferraris were sold in Turkey in 2000. One U.S. dollar was equal to 670 thousand Turkish liras (TL) those days. This year one U.S. dollar is trading around 1 million 400 thousand TL. The price of the cheapest Ferrari is 208 thousand U.S. dollars which is equal to 300 billion TL. But, the Ferrari sales are not affected by this increase. Nine Ferraris were sold this year.

THERE WILL BE FOREIGN EXCHANGE SUPRLUS IN 2002

Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti gave good news: Citizens used to prefer U.S. dolar for savings. This trend will change in 2002. There will be a big amount of supply surplus in foreign exchange in 2002.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The letter of intent which will pay the way for the new loan of 10 billion U.S. dollars will be sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in January. The IMF can provide additional loan to Turkey in 2003 and 2004 according to Turkey's financing need. The new letter of intent is planned to be sent to the IMF at the beginning of January after it is evaluated by the leaders and after the ''priory actions'' are fulfilled. The letter of intent which will constitute the basis of the new three-year Stand-By deal will cover the program of 2002.

NOVA BANK IS BUYING SITEBANK

The Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) signed share tranfer contract with Greek Nova Bank for the sale of Sitebank under its control. The Fund said that initiatives had been launched to complete the actual share transfer on January 11, 2002. A statement of SDIF said that the Fund had decided to start negotiations with Nova Bank for the share transfer contract of Sitebank upon the bid submitted by the Greek bank on October 26, 2001.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Tuncay Ozilhan, the Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said that people did not still have confidence in the government and to this end, there should not be any ambitious targets in the new stand-by deal to be signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The demands that TUSIAD voiced in the High Consultation Council meeting are as follows: ''A medium-term program should be implemented rather than decreasing the inflation rapidly. The number of ministers should be reduced. The economy management should be united under a single umbrella. A board should be formed for foreign capital permits.''

MIT BECOMES A BOOK

The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) wrote a book about itself for the first time since it was established 75 years ago. The book which includes documents and photographs from MIT's special archive sheds light to the history of Turkish intelligence from 1927 to 1965.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

High-level U.S. sources said that U.S. President George Bush, who had invited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the United States for a meeting on January 16, 2002, would give priority neither to Iraq nor to Cyprus. The real issue is to increase Turkey's strength and importance. The sources said that the real message that Bush would give to Ecevit is related with economic and strategic cooperation. According to the high-level U.S. sources, two expectations would be voiced during Bush-Ecevit meeting on January 16, 2002. Here are the two expectations: ''September 11th terrorist attacks opened new horizons for Turkey while imposed new responsibilities on this country. Ankara, which has showed the things it can do in the Central Asia and Caucasus after September 11, should undertake a role in the stability of the Balkans. You can be more active in the settlement of peace and stability in the Middle East. The second expectation is reforms like banking, privatization and especially efficient public management should be fulfilled to become a focus of power in the region.''

ECEVIT: ''WE WILL SPEED UP''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who responded to questions of Radikal daily after meeting with the delegations of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), said that draft laws on economic and political reforms would be presented to the parliament one after the other as of the beginning of 2002. Ecevit noted that he would meet with his coalition partners on Monday to debate the European Union (EU) Laeken Summit and discuss economic and political steps.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that if Turkey did not fulfil its liabilities and responsibilities in the path of Europe, there should be no doubt that the relations with the European Union (EU) would be severed. Yilmaz, who spoke at the meeting of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said that the EU Laeken Summit confirmed that Turkey's had never been so close to EU membership.

DERVIS: ''TURKEY HAS LISTENED TO IMF''

State Minister Kemal Dervis said that Turkey floated the exchange rate following the economic crisis in February 2001 while Argentina had insisted. Dervis said, ''we did whatever the IMF said in our financial policy. However, Argentina did not fulfil them.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Turkey aims to host the foreign ministers of almost 90 countries which are the members or candidates of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) or the European Union (EU) in Istanbul. A preparatory meeting was held in Ankara to discuss the OIC-EU summit which is planned to be held in Istanbul between February 12 and 13, 2002.

DENKTAS: ''DO NOT LEAVE US ALONE''

The Turkish States and Communities Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation Congress started at the Polat Renaissance Hotel on Friday. Speaking at the Congress, President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said, ''we fought for half of our lives to prevent the occupation of Cyprus from Greece and not to make the island a Greek dagger that is thrusted into the heart of Anatolia.''

-DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''I HOPE WE CAN FULFIL OUR ONE-YEAR OBJECTIVES

IN THREE MONTHS AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF EU FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS''

ANKARA - Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said late on Friday that he hoped Turkey could fulfil its one-year objectives in three months and knock on the door of the European Union (EU) for full membership negotiations.

Responding to questions at a programme broadcast in private CNN Turk channel, Yilmaz said that the decisions taken at the EU Laeken Summit regarding Turkey had contributions on the optimism in economy.

When asked what had happened in Laeken, Yilmaz said that two things had happened in Laeken. Firstly, Yilmaz noted, the EU Laeken Conclusions referred to accession negotiations with Turkey for the first time.

Secondly, Yilmaz said, Turkey was officially invited to the Convention in which EU's future would be discussed.

Asked what kind of contributions could Turkey make to the Convention, Yilmaz said that Turkey could make many contributions to the Convention as a country with a different culture and values.

Yilmaz noted, ''at the moment, we are a country in which the model that inspired the hopes for the prevention of conflict of cultures the most in the world is implemented.''

Pointing out that Turkey's participation in the Convention was very important, Yilmaz said that as Turkey was invited to the platform in which EU's future would be set, discussed and planned, Turkey's inseparability from the EU was confirmed.

Yilmaz stated that what Turkey should do was to do its homework without making any unnecessary discussions.

Turkey had some commitments in the National Program, Yilmaz said and pointed out that it had three-month time to fulfil those commitments.

Yilmaz noted that the constitutional amendments and adjustment laws should be passed in that three-month time.

The regulations regarding human rights were united under a single package, Yilmaz stressed and said that the package was sent to the parliament.

Yilmaz pointed out that the coalition leaders would meet on Monday to discuss this issue.

They had made the list of the initiatives to be done in one year, Yilmaz said and stated that they would ask for the support of the leaders of other political parties for those initiatives and then, the list would be presented to the parliament.

''I hope that we can fulfil our one-year objectives in three months and knock on the door of the EU to start full membership negotiations,'' Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz stressed that Turkey had to target at starting the full membership negotiations with the EU in 2003.

After Turkey started full membership negotiations, it had to set a target to become a full member between 2007 and 2010, Yilmaz said and noted that EU full membership was the most important project of the history of the Republic.

Touching on Cyprus question, Yilmaz said that President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was defined as ''an uncompromising person'' and that this was an unjust definition.

However, Yilmaz noted, Denktas saved Turkey from a very difficult situation with its final initiative of starting face-to-face talks with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides.

-EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION TO EU COUNTRIES INCREASE 31.1 PERCENT

GAZIANTEP - Agricultural, animal and industrial product exports from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region to European Union (EU) countries increased 31.1 percent to 176 million 805 thousand U.S. dollars in eleven months of this year.

The region had raised 134 million 912 thousand U.S. dollars in the same period last year.

According to the figures of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, the region raised 886 U.S. dollars from animal product exports, 2 million 855 thousand U.S. dollars from cereals and oily seed product exportation, 20 million 52 thousand U.S. dollars from dried fruit exports, and 153 million 12 thousand U.S. dollars from textile exportation.

The region mainly exported its products to Italy, Germany and Britain while the main export products were synthetic thread, cotton thread, dried apricot, cotton, knitted and synthetic textile.

-EDUCATION TO FULLY BE AJDUSTED TO EU IN 2003

ANKARA - Turkish education system will fully be adjusted to the European Union (EU) system in 2003.

According to the Progress Report on Turkey unveiled by the EU Commmission, a new impetus had been given to Turkey's preparations for participating in the Community Programmes in education fields like Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth.

The report noted that a preparatory phase within Turkey under the management of the Ministry of National Education was due to begin in 2001, with a full participation from 2003 onwards.

A National Agency responsible for the implementation of the education and youth programs should be set up in Turkey, the report said.

The report stated that a clear proposal was needed on how the National Agency would be set up and said that this agency should be set up for full participation.

Turkey recorded a limited prorgess in education field, the report said.

The report noted that no progress was reported on the directive concerning the education and training of children of migrant workers and listed the legal arrangements to be made in vocational and technical fields in the secondary education.

The use of taxation fund to secondary educeation was expanded until 2010 to finance the reforms, the report stressed.

The report pointed out that Turkey would fulfil its 12 years of compulsory education objective with the loans and credits until 2005.

''In general terms, most principles underlining the educational system are consistent with those of Member States. However, the quality of education is uneven, particularly in rural areas. The new education law is a positive step, and will in particular benefit the vocational education and training sector. However, the law does not address the issue of making Vocational Education Training (VET) system more relevant to the needs of the labour market,'' the report said.

The report added, ''efforts should be made in this direction, in cooperation with industry and social partners. In the intermediate future, Turkey should as a matter of priority take steps needed to establish the National Agency needed to successfully manage the three Community education programmes. This is a crucial condition for the participation of Turkey in those programmes. The directive concerning the education of children of migrant workers still has not been transposed and implementation has to be ensured.''

-JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS FORMER SISLI MAYOR CAN BE EXTRADITED TO TURKEY

AFTER VERDICT BECOMES DEFINITE

BURSA - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Saturday that former Sisli Mayor Gulay Cokay (Asliturk) could be extradited to Turkey after the verdict became definite.

Responding to questions of reporters, Turk said, ''the decision given by the Wallstreet Court of Peace of Britain regarding Asliturk is a verdict that can be appealed. We guess that Asliturk will use this right. Her extradition can be in question after the verdict becomes definite.''

Turk noted that there were seven arrest warrants in absentia regarding Asliturk and that to this end, they had applied to the British court for Asliturk's extradition.

The British court decided to extradite Asliturk to Turkey on Friday, Turk stated. However, he said, Asliturk might not be extradited to Turkey immediately.

Turk continued, ''this decision is a verdict that can be appealed. To this end, we guess that Asliturk will use this right. We have to wait to see whether or not she will use her right. Her extradition can be in question after the verdict becomes definite.''

Asked whether or not the temporary articles added to the adjustment laws would affect the laws in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Turk said, ''the draft law foresees some amendments in the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Code of Administrative Trial Procedure. However, the return or re-hearing of the trial may be valid for the applications that may be made after the law takes effects. It will be out of question to renew trial of the former applications.''

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY'S POWER AND IMPORTANCE HAVE INCREASED

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that Turkye's power and importance in the world had increased in recent weeks.

Speaking at a programme broadcast in private NTV television channel, Ecevit said that there would be new steps to be taken in 2002 and that he hoped that the adjustment laws would be passed.

Ecevit noted that a constitutional amendment package had been prepared and that this package would cover important decisions regarding jurisdiction and freedom of thought.

The bureaucratic hurdles for those who want to make investments in Turkey would be eliminated by those laws, Ecevit stated.

Ecevit said that Turkish and foreign investors could knock on only one door rather than knocking on 40 doors after the new laws took effect and they could receive a concrete response to their application in three months.

They did not think making big changes in the government at the moment as right, Ecevit pointed out and said that the crisis which had occured in Argentina did not occur in Turkey thanks to the measures that had been taken.

Ecevit stated that giant leap forward in production and agriculture should be given priority and importance and noted that the year 2002 would be a better year than 2000 and 2001 unless some unexpected incidents happened.

Early elections should not be brought to the agenda, Ecevit said and added, ''we have started to take steps which will overcome the problems which has existed for a long time. Even the word election can jeopardize these steps. Some circles used to state that life-span of this government had expired. However, the recent developments have indicated even the most pessimistic people that this government is not that much bad.''

-TURKEY TO EXTEND ALL ASSISTANCE FOR RESTORATION OF SECURITY IN AFGHANISTAN

ANKARA - Turkey will extend all the assistance it could for restoration of security and development efforts in Afghanistan.

A statement of the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that Turkey would be beside the Afghan people and wished success to the interim government.

The statement noted that the interim government formed by Bonn agreement officially took office on Saturday and said, ''friendly Afghan people have reached a historic stage in the formation of a modern and stable administration and a broad-based government which they have longed for a long time.''

Turkey believed that all the groups in Afghanistan would make use of that opportunity which would bring peace and stability to the country and support the new interim government, the statement pointed out.

The statement said that Ankara wished that the international community, particularly the regional countries, would continue their friendly and constructive approaches and support to Afghan people.

Turkey had had close friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan during the history, the statement stressed.

The statement noted, ''Turkey will be beside the friendly Afghan people at this historic stage and try to do its best to restore security and contribute to political, social and economic restructuring and development in Afghanistan.''

The interim government undertook a very important duty to ensure peace and tranquility in the country, the statement said and wished success to the new administration.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY CANNOT COPE WITH STRUCTURAL REFORMS

WITHOUT BREASTING ECONOMIC CRISES

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that Turkey could not cope with structural reforms without breasting economic crises.

Speaking at a programme broadcast in the private NTV television channel, Ecevit said that the year 2001 was a difficult year for not only Turkey but all the world.

Ecevit noted that even the rich countries like the United States and Japan had an economic stagnation in 2001 and went on saying, ''and the September 11th terrorist attacks were and addition to this stagnation. All the world economy was negatively affected by the terrorist attacks. The year 2001 was a difficult year for Turkey due to external and internal factors. Because, we were transferred the problems, the roots of which dated back to many years ago, and we felt the necessity to take measures which can be considered as very brave measures to save Turkey from those problems.''

''Of course, this had a cost. Some painful recipes had to be implemented. But, we have started to see a relief in Turkey by the end of the year. Fight against terrorism has also gained momentum. We have taken some giant leap forwards in economy. We tried to take some measures in social justice. Turkey's importance has increased in recent weeks. We had to take some measures like structural reforms. We have taken measures in banking and finance sectors. We have also taken precautions to decrease the inflation. We have experienced many big disasters at the same time. Some significant indicators have started to be observed. The stock exchange increased and stability was ensured in foreign exchange rates. It seems that we have ensured economic stability. But, I want to speak cautiously because some unexpected things may happen anytime,'' Ecevit said.

Noting that the shops launched sale campaigns by the end of the year, Ecevit stated that this was a very pleasing development.

The harmony in the coalition government had an impact on the positive indicators, Ecevit said.

Ecevit continued, ''budget discipline has been ensured. Relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank have started to enter into a positive course thanks to our determination and harmony. They proposed and accepted to give additional loan to Turkey other than the loan they have committed to release. The year 2002 will be the year in which we have to take new giant leap forwards. I hope the adjustment laws will be passed. Also, another constitutional amendment package is being prepared with the participation of all the parties. We will continue economic reforms.''

Asked what the new constitutional amendment package would cover, Ecevit said that the package would cover new arrangements regarding jurisdiction and freedom of thought.

Ecevit said that the draft law on industrial zones which was very important should be passed from the parliament as soon as possible and continued, ''the reason for a limited number of foreign investments in Turkey is bureaucratic hurdles. We have included new arrangements regarding this issue into this new draft law. From now on, those who want to invest in Turkey will not knock on 40 doors but will only apply to a single door. They will not wait for years but they will be given a positive or negative response in three months. Thus, we will attract foreign investors to Turkey.''

Asked if he could guess about the inflation and growth figures of 2002, Ecevit said, ''we have to attribute a special importance to these issues. We will make use of the immovable assets of the Treasury. There are many rich mine sources in Turkey which are not efficiently used. We will try to make use of these sources.''

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY ENTERS INTO PROCESS OF OVERCOMING CRISIS

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that Turkey had entered into the process of overcoming the economic crisis.

Speaking at a programme broadcast in private NTV television channel, Ecevit said that Turkey had entered into the process of overcoming the economic crisis as it implemented serious and consistent measures with determination while Argentina was pushed into a heavy crisis.

Ecevit noted that the year 2002 would be a more positive year than 2001 unless unexpected incidents occured.

When asked to compare the reflections of economic crises in Turkey and Argentina, Ecevit said, ''I do not definitely know about the situation in Argentina. But, it seems that there is a disharmony with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It seems that Argentina did not pay as much attention as we have paid to relations with the IMF. Argentina's monetary unit was made equivalent to the U.S. dollar. This was a very bold measure. So, the country could not cope with it. Argentina could not save itself from fixed exchange rate regime. The benefits of implementing floating exchange rate regime can be seen.''

When asked to give information about the ideas to reduce the number of ministries and unite some of the ministries under a new agreement to be signed with IMF in 2002, Ecevit said that this was not an issue which would take place in Turkey's relations with IMF.

Ecevit continued, ''in fact, 37 ministers do not give so much harm to economy. The number of ministries is in fact too much but it is the natural result of the three-member coalition government. There were only 25 ministers in the minority government that I formed for a few months. That much ministers is enough but there are some necessities of the three-member coalition government. I have concerns that changes in the government at this moment can shake the political stability. This arrangement should be made in a way that it can be implemented following the elections.''

The agricultural sector was neglected too much in Turkey, Ecevit stated and pointed out that the agricultural sector should be developed together with the industrial sector.

Ecevit said that new vilalge-cities would be set up as the construction season started.

There were many goods which were produced more than necessary in Turkey, Ecevit noted and stated that some other goods should be produced.

Some ministries responsible for economy could be united in 2002, Ecevit pointed out.

Ecevit said that elections should be held on time and that early election was not a correct thing.

Many structural reforms had started to be made, Ecevit noted and stated that it would take time to see the results of the reforms.

Ecevit added that draft adjustment laws would be presented to the parliament soon.

-PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS CONCLUSIONS OF LAEKEN SUMMIT REGARDING TURKEY

ARE RIGHTS GAINED IN END OF STRUGGLE

ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that the conclusions of the European Union (EU) Laeken Summit regarding Turkey were the rights gained in the end of a struggle.

Speaking at a programme broadcast in private NTV television channel, Ecevit said, ''I did not regard the Laeken conclusions regarding Turkey as strange because these are the rights we have gained in the end of a struggle.''

Ecevit noted that there was not any new developments regarding the troops to be sent to Afghanistan and said that in fact, there was indefiniteness regarding this matter.

Asked if he was expecting such a positive EU summit and if a date could be set in this period for Turkey's full membership negotiations, Ecevit said that a paragraph which inspired hopes for Turkey was included in the final conclusions of the Laeken Summit.

Ecevit defined that as a very important development and said, ''but, they explained the reason of this. The paragraph included the expression that (some important developments occur in Turkey and important steps are being taken. To this end, the time to open full membership negotiations has approached.''

''Also, a new institutionalization named Convention has occured. This Convention will set the future of the EU. At first, they did not want Turkey to participate in the Convention. But, we fight for it and we gained a victory. Also, we have fought for the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) by ourselves for two and a half years,'' Ecevit noted.

Ecevit continued, ''there are some other countries like us. They are also the members of NATO and candidates of EU. They have not helped us. But, they have supported us from outside, positively and in an encouraging way. But, we have won that fight. To this end, I did not regard the Laeken conclusions regarding Turkey as strange because these are the rights we have gained in the end of a struggle.''

Asked about his view on why a result could not be gained from Greece immediately, Ecevit said, ''I do not know. Of course, they want to prevent it as much as they can. In fact, it is very strange for Greece to oppose this. We asked them to assure us that decisions against us would not be taken. And, they gave that assurance. But, Greece opposed it. Then, we can derive this meaning. Greece thinks about some intrigues against us. It does not want to miss the opportunities which will help those intrigues. I hope this is not its intention but, we have gained this impression. To this end, I do not think Greece can resist more.''

It was not meaningful to keep Turkey outside a European Army to be formed, Ecevit said.

Ecevit stated that Balkan countries, countries in the Caucasus, Middle East and Central Asia were the countries to which the EU members could feel the necessity to stage an operation.

They could not exclude Turkey from operations against such countries even if they wanted to, Ecevit said.

Ecevit noted that a step without Turkey could not be taken in those regions and pointed out that the recent operation against Afghanistan proved it.

When he was reminded that face-to-face Cyprus talks would start soon and asked about the comments that full membership negotiations with Turkey would be started in return for these talks and the EU membership of Cyprus under a single umbrella, Ecevit said that the mistake in Cyprus quesiton was the involvement of EU in this matter.

Ecevit noted that Cyprus was an issue which should not concern any of the EU countries except Greece and said, ''because, it does not cause any problems in the world.''

Stating that there were continuous clashes in Cyprus before 1974, Ecevit said that Cyprus Peace Operation brought lasting peace to the island.

Ecevit noted that EU's interest in the issue was unnecessary and inconvenient and said, ''because, the Greek Cypriot administration is resisting to every issue by depending on this interest of the EU.''

''If a result is given in the direction of the wishes of the Greek Cypriots, the north-south difference will end and they will rush to the north by saying that 'they want their homes.' Many cases have been filed in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding this issue. If the borders in the island are eliminated, this will happen. Of course, this situation will cause serious problems and clashes can occur. Then, the genocide against the Turks which was made before 1974 will re-occur. Some of our writers say that there will not be any genocide. But, the biggest genocide of the history was experienced in Bosnia, in the middle of Europe, 4-5 years ago. And, Greece supported those who made that genocide,'' Ecevit said.

Ecevit noted that he believed that the meeting of President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides would be beneficial.

Asked if there was a new development regarding the Turkish troops to be sent to Afghanistan, Ecevit said that there was not any new developments but that there was an indefiniteness about this matter at that moment.

Ecevit said that formation of an interim government in Afghanistan was a positive development and stressed that the responsibilities that Turkey would undertake when a permanent government was formed in Afghanistan were important.

Afghan National Army and National Police should be formed, Ecevit noted and stated that Turkey was the most efficient and authorized country in those issues.

Ecevit pointed out that Turkey had made many assistance to Afghanistan in the past and that it was time to make social and political restructuring in that country.

Turkey opened the first embassy in Afghanistan, Ecevit said, adding that then, it opened a consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif.

Ecevit stated that women movements in Afghanistan should be supported.

Responding to a question about the messages he would give about Iraq during his visit to the United States, Ecevit said, ''I wish that there will not be any need for us to give messages about Iraq. That is, Iraq is not a problem for our region or the world at the moment. There are many conflicting voices in the United States at the moment. The United Nations controllers should not be disturbed about coming to Iraq related with disarmament of Iraq. There are measures that Iraq has to take.''

When asked if he thought of sending a special envoy to Saddam Hussein, Ecevit said, ''we have some relations with Iraq and we can further improve them. But, I hope that Iraq will not occur as a problem in our contacts with the United States. The real issue we will stress during our contacts in the United States will be economy.''

Ecevit noted that he thought that the bilateral relations with the United States would gain momentum during his visit to that country.

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