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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-12-30

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

30 December 2001Sunday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 30, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

WOMAN TOURIST PROHIBITION CANCELLED IN ARDAHAN

The prohibition put on foreign women's visiting northeastern Ardahan province in order to prevent prostitution has been cancelled. When former Istanbul security director Hasan Ozdemir was appointed as the governor of Ardahan, which is among the poorest provinces of Turkey, the entrance of Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani tourists to the province was prohibited. The new governor Mustafa Yigit lifted the ban and noted that the trade in the province had to be revived and added that it was not possible to achieve any good result by prohibitions.

MADONNA SINGS LOVE POEMS OF MEVLANA

German Focus magazine noted that Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi has been a source of inspiration for many American singers including Madonna. The magazine published a news on the issue telling that American singers used the love poems written by Mevlana in their songs, adding that Madonna used the words of Mevlana in her album ''A gift of love''. A book telling the life story of Mevlana also caused great interest in the U.S., said the magazine.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ROBBERY OF CENTURY

Turkey searches for the politician who covered up the report proving that a bank transferred the one billion dollars of deposit which it collected, to its firm! The paper wonders why no investigation has not been started about a small bank which transferred this money to a firm. Many banks whose positions were better than this bank were seized and their owners were arrested to be tried at court. Banking circles wonder why this bank is treated specially.

ECEVIT: ''BE CAREFUL ABOUT BANKS''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the regulation that is about extending support to the banks has to be used correctly. Upon questions of prime ministry correspondents, Ecevit said that it was important that the banking system should be able to support the private and real sector. ''The financial source that will be provided for the banks should be used correctly and it should be used in a way to help production. We've to take every measure to ensure this,'' Ecevit stated. Responding to a question about the weakening banks and saving them through state debentures, Ecevit said ''Of course it's a subject that would stir up debates. What is important is that the banks should be able to support the private and real sector. Right now, most banks don't have the strength to do this. This is why we proposed such a regulation.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TEMIZEL CAUSES TWO CRISES

The paper says that Zekeriya Temizel was the Chairman of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) for only six months. When he came to the office, there were no economic crises in the country. He tried to bring the owners of all banks and businessmen who got credits to the court. Today the banking sector tries to save itself by doing the thins which are just the opposite to the ones done by Temizel. The paper accuses Temizel for having a role in causing the economic crises which took place in November 2000 and February 2001.

KOC MUSEUM PRESENTED WITH CULTURE MINISTRY AWARD

Rahmi M. Koc Museum which is the first and only museum of Turkey that displays the history of the industry technology, was awarded by the Culture Ministry with ''2002's Great Award of Culture and Art.'' The museum was also presented with Vakıflar (Foundations) Special Award last week.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RAUF DENKTAS GOES TO SOUTHERN CYPRUS

Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) proceeded to the Greek Cypriot side for the first time yesterday after 28 years to attend the dinner to be hosted in his honour by Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides. Greek Cypriot politicans reacted to the dinner. Greek Cypriot administration's parliament speaker Hristofyas said that it was right to hold demonstration as Denktas came to the Greek Cypriot side. Clerides brought onto agenda the issue of missing persons in the dinner which lasted for two hours. Denktas said after the dinner that it was perfect. Tight security measures were taken due to the dinner.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ECEVIT SAYS U.S. PROMISES TO CONSULT WITH TURKEY ABOUT IRAQ

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who will visit the U.S. in the middle of January, said that the U.S. promised Turkey to consult with it before starting a military intervention in Iraq. Ecevit said that the debate in the U.S. about Iraq continued, adding that the U.S. didn't take a decision on the issue yet. Criticizing the EU for not including terorrist organizations PKK and DHKP/C in its list of terrorist organizations, Ecevit said he expected the EU to include these two terrorist organizations in its second list. Ecevit also stressed that opposing both new year celebrations and also buying of National Lottery tickets means having Taliban mentality.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT KILLS 11 PERSONS

A total of eleven persons died in the traffic accident that took place when one passanger bus slided due to the icy road in Babaeski town of northwestern Kırklareli province. A total of 36 others were injured. Deputy Security Director of northwestern Edirne province Erol Rayaman also died in the accident.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FINE OF POLLUTING HALIC IS ONLY 5 BILLION LIRAS

Efforts are continuing to clean the fuel leak in Halic (Golden Horn) in Istanbul. Municipality's teams and other groups joined efforts to clean the fuel leak which covered an areas of 5,000 square meters between Halic Taskizak Shipyard and Galata Bridge yesterday. The fuel is being collected by a ''sea sweeper. The activities to clean Halic is expected to last for one week. Experts are analyzing samples to find out what caused the leak. The paper said that totally 520 million dollars (almost 800 trillion Turkish liras) were spent to clean Halic since 1996. The amount spent to decrease the fuel leak's polluting Halic exceeded 100 billion liras. Even if the institution which had a role in the leak, it will have to pay a fine of 5 billion TL at most.


CONTENTS

  • [01] BALKAN IMMIGRANTS CULTURE AND SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN
  • [02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS 2001 YEAR IS DIFFICULT YEAR
  • [03] KFOR COMMANDER VALENTIN:''A POLITICAL SOLUTION IS NEEDED IN MITROVICA''
  • [04] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF A.A (1) - YILMAZ:''PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT HAVE SHOWN A PERFECT PERFORMANCE IN 2001''
  • [05] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF A.A (2) ''TURKEY CANNOT BECOME LIKE ARGENTINA''
  • [06] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS IN 2001 -EXPECTATION FOR A NEW STRATEGY
  • [07] MINISTERS COUNCIL DECIDES TO FREEZE FINANCIAL ASSETS
  • [08] DILUCU, GURBULAK AND TURKGOZU BORDER GATES HAVE SIGNIFICANT
  • [09] TAI PRODUCES 16 COUGAR HELICOPTERS
  • [10] UNEMPLOYED MAN HOLDS PROTEST IN FRONT OF PRIME MINISTRY
  • [11] AK PARTY DEPUTY YAKIS:''ECEVIT, BEFORE HIS VISIT TO THE U.S., SHOULD MEET WITH

  • [01] BALKAN IMMIGRANTS CULTURE AND SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN

    ERKIN SAYS BULGARIA HAS TO RECOGNIZE MINORITY RIGHTS OF TURKS
    IZMIR - Salim Erkin, the Chairman of the Balkan Immigrants Culture and Solidarity Association said on Saturday that Bulgaria has to recognize the minority rights of Turks.

    Speaking in a news conference held upon the 12nd anniversary of the obligatory immigration imposed on Bulgarian Turks in 1989, Erkin said that the Bulgarian administration pursued an assimilation policy towards Turks living in this country before 1989. Many people died and thousands of others were prisoned during this period, he asserted.

    Salim Erkin noted that 350,000 Turks came to Turkey from Bulgaria in 1989, adding that no such an administration which forced Turks to immigrate to Turkey should come to power again in Bulgaria. He added that Bulgaria which wants to join the EU and NATO should recognize the minority rights of Turks.

    )

    [02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS 2001 YEAR IS DIFFICULT YEAR

    FOR BOTH TURKEY AND WORLD IN RESPECT OF ECONOMY
    ANKARA, - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that the year 2001 was a difficult year both for Turkey, and the whole world in respect of economy. ''The revival of the economy in 2002 will also improve social justice in all fields,'' he said issuing a message upon the new year.

    Ecevit said that even the economies of developed countries entered a recession process in 2001 and noted that unemployment spreaded in the world.

    Noting that the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11 further worsened the problems of world economies, Ecevit stated that the resolved and consistent attitude of the government caused good developments in the Turkish economy towards the end of the year. The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) index increased, foreign exchange lost value, stability was ensured, inflation started to reduce, exports started to increase, production and consumption started to develop, said Ecevit.

    Ecevit noted that their fight with corruption continued, the trust of the finance circles and international society in Turkey increased and IMF and World Bank provided additional loan to Turkey.

    ''The brave measures we took in human rights and the comprehensive constitutional and legal amendments we undertook positively affected our relations with the EU,'' said Ecevit.

    The attitude of Turkey against terrorism by respecting democracy and human rights has been a model for the whole world, he stressed noting that Turkey proved that Islam can get along well with democracy, secularism and modernity and this opened the way to positive developments in Islamic world.

    Prime Minister Ecevit said that new laws that would strengthen economy will be adopted in the first weeks of 2002.

    Productive investments will be supported and effective measures will be taken to revive the enterprises which were closed or whose production was restricted, Ecevit said.

    Underlining that the Law on Industrial Regions expected to be adopted soon would speed up the foreign investments, said Ecevit said that natural resources and mining would be benefitted and progress will be recorded in agriculture.

    ''The village-city project which started in Mesudiye town will spread to the country. The development of eastern and southeastern Turkey and return to villages will speed up. The government started to send aid to the provinces hit by the floods,'' said Ecevit.

    Ecevit hoped 2002 to bring prosperity and peace to the citizens living in Turkey and abroad, Turkish Cypriots, Afghan people who became free and all the humanity.

    [03] KFOR COMMANDER VALENTIN:''A POLITICAL SOLUTION IS NEEDED IN MITROVICA''

    PRISTINA - Kosova Peace Keeping Force (KFOR) Commander French General Marcel Valentin has said the elections in Kosovo were ''very successful'' and that they working to bring democracy to the region.

    Speaking to the A.A, Valentine said a political solution was necessary in Kosovo's split up city Mitrovica.

    Assessing the latest developments in the region, Valentin said the general elections were very successful and it was important that all communities in the country were represented in the Parliament of Kosovo.

    ''I think Mitrovica is now quiet. We took a number of military measures. However, at the NATO meeting in Bruseels in June, it was stressed that a political, not a military, solution was needed for Mitrovica. We're ready to support all kinds of political and economic initiative to this direction. We're trying to make Kosova a democratic nation,'' he said.

    Valentin complained that they didn't obtain the result they expected from weapon collecting operations. ''We're searching houses are cars,'' he continued. ''This will continue because a great number of weapons were hidden after the war. Some people here have very bad gun habits. They equip their houses with heavy weapons. The other day, 12 or 13 anti-tank mines were founded in a house. If you have a disagreement with someone, I guess you don't need anti-tank mines.''

    ''Gun smuggling is an old story in the Balkans. You make money from smuggling guns and you buy drugs with the money. You give the drugs to prostitutes and you make money again. This is a well known trade in the Balkans,'' he explained.

    Speaking about the Turkish soldiers in KFOR, Valentin said ''There was a very nice celebration on the Republic Day. I'm very glad to be the commander of such a troop. They know this region very well and their being Muslims is also very important. Through this we show the people of Kosovo, that we want to help them. It is very good to see that our soldiers could build good relations with the people.''

    The French commander said Turkish soldiers work working very professionally and he very much admired their behavior.

    [04] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF A.A (1) - YILMAZ:''PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT HAVE SHOWN A PERFECT PERFORMANCE IN 2001''

    ANKARA, - Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister said on Sunday that the parliament and the government displayed a perfect performance in 2001, adding that the government looks at 2002 with hope due to this performance.

    ''If we don't act rapidly and take the necessary measures, the path to Turkey's full membership which opened with Helsinki summit and which became clearer by the last Laeken summit, can be drifted to an unknown adventure, '' said Yılmaz.

    Here are the questions asked by A.A correspondent to Yılmaz and his answers:

    Question: Can you assess the year 2001?

    Answer: The year 2001 has been a very difficult year for our country and our people. The crisis atmosphere which appeared as of November 2000 and which became severer in February 2001 reached a peak in last spring. Even if the balances in economy started to settle down as of October, it is apparent that we have not saved ourselves from the influences of the crisis. Besides that the periods of crisis are the most favourable times in which great leaps forward can be taken. Turkey has benefitted well from this period of crisis. Many structural regulations particularly in economy which were on the agenda for a long time and which could not come true have been put into practice. The most rooted constitutional amendments were taken in this period.

    Qusetion: What are your expectations from 2002?

    Answer: Turkey has to fulfill all the short term goals covered by the national programme for adoption of acquis (NPAA) particularly the laws of adjustment in the first months of 2002. The government determined a calendar on this issue. We aim to fulfil all of the short term goals of NPAA till the end of March. We target to transfer laws of adjustment to the parliament as soon as possible, and to conclude the legal regulations that are necessary to be adopted within the first two months. I hope 2002 to be a year in which reconstruction projects in administration, economy and politics will be put into practice. We must take the word 'crisis' from our dictionary. If we can benefit well from the 2002 year and if we can result the studies, 2003 will in deed be a very promising year for the country. International finance institutions noted that if Turkey records progress in fields which she promised to do, it can become a country which can reach the fastest growth rate in the world in 2003.

    Question: What are the contributions the study which the Motherland Party (ANAP) can bring to the solution of the country's problems?

    Answer: ANAP believes that the problems in the country are not independent from each other. The problems stem from the structure. Necessary measures could not be taken after 1992 when the government of the Motherland Party (ANAP) ended its term in office. As it is known the country is governed by coalitions for ten years. The aim of the reconstruction programme, which is supported by the public opinion today is to end the negative developments and to have a sound structure in economy and administration. The problems of Turkey can be solved. The economic programme we prepared is not a product of crisis atmosphere.

    Question:What does Leaken Summit mean to Turkey on its way to the EU?

    Yilmaz:Turkey's full EU membership is the most important project of the history of the Turkish Republic. This is a project that would directly affect the lives of everyone who lives in this country. During our 40 years of EU relations with ups and downs, Turkey never had such a clear road to the EU. At the Laeken Summit, Turkey obtained very imporatn results. One of these results was that it was declared that Turkey is getting closer to the negotiations. For the first time in an EU document, a reference was made to Turkey's membership negotiations. This is very important both from Turkey's and EU's point of view. This development shows tha certain hesitations about starting negotiations with Turkey have been overcome.

    Of course, the National Program approved by our government on March 19, 2001 and the steps taken towards the program's implementation have an important role in this development. The most important fact revealed by these developments is that Turkey gets results when it decides on its policies within international and EU norms, otherwise it is isolated. Another importance of the Laeken Summit is that Turkey was also invited to the convention that discussed the EU's future. Our equal participation in this convention strengthens our membership perspective.

    Question: What will be the repercussions of all these developments in our country?

    Yilmaz: We have important responsibilities and tasks to reach our target of full EU membership. In order to achieve this result, Turkey should follow a very determined policy and carry out a series of changes. When considered the developments in Europe, it's clear that we don't have much time for such a transition. If we don't act quickly enough, the road leading to full membership could be drifted to an unknown adventure. We all should be aware of this fact.

    We have to start negotiations with the EU before we could become a full member. The precondition to start negotiations is to fulfill Copenhagen political criteria. These criteria are briefly democracy, supremacy of law and respect to human rights. We have to fulfill these criteria not only in regulations but also in practice.

    I believe that we can achieve the transition that we need by working together in a calm manner and stay away from fears. The Turkish Parliament achieved to pass very comprehensive constitutional changes which is difficult to pass in any country. We should be able to reflect these changes to people's lifes and this is not something we cannot achieve.

    [05] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF A.A (2) ''TURKEY CANNOT BECOME LIKE ARGENTINA''

    ANKARA - Motherland Party (ANAP) and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has said Turkey would not become like Argentina and such socially violent incidents cannot take place in Turkey because the two countries have totally different political, economic, social and psychological structures.

    Yilmaz said that very important steps have been taken since the government announced Turkey's National Program in March. He added that these steps now have to be made more widespread and more systematic.

    Yilmaz answered the questions of the A.A on a number of issues:

    Question:In what kind of time period are you planning to reach the targets included in its National Program?

    Yilmaz:We want to reach the short term goals in the shortest time possible. Because our country and the EU cannot tolerate to waste time and wait. We have to implement the short term goals before March of 2002. The fulfillment of these commitments are important because of two reasons. The first one is that our country can only start the negotiations after fulfilling these commitments. Secondly, foreign capital will start flowing to Turkey after the maintenance of a positive atmosphere in Turkey.

    Our target is clear and we outlined the methods in our National Program. Now we have to take the necessary steps in time. Here, the most important responsibility belongs to the institution of politics, the government and Parliament. As the government, we decided to fulfill all our short term commitments before March next year. We'll send all the adjustment laws to Parliament. We formed a commission from the related ministers to work on the human rights issue. This commission had its first meeting.

    Question:Can Turkey become like Argentina?

    Yılmaz: It is sure that Turkey won't become like Argentina and it won't be exposed to acts of violance like it happened in Argentina. The socio- psychologic, economic and political structure in both countires are very different from each other. For instance Turkey is in the category of states trusted by countries since September last year. If Turkey continues to act in resolution about budget targets and if the reforms continue, Turkey will be an attractive country for foreign investors.

    [06] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS IN 2001 -EXPECTATION FOR A NEW STRATEGY

    BRUSSELS - Some intensive contacts and important steps were recorded in Turkey-European Union (EU) relations in 2001.

    The relations between Turkey and EU were ''active but unproductive'' in 2000 although Turkey's candidacy was officially announced at the Helsinki Summit held in the end of 1999. Turkey was excluded from Nice Summit and the solution of important problems and disagreements were postponed till 2001 in the atmosphere of tension which was also reflected to NATO.

    -ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT AND NATIONAL PROGRAMME
    The most important incident marked in Turkey-EU relations in 2000 was the announcement of the Accession Partnership Document by the EU Commission and its ratification by the EU Council.

    The National Programme, which was about initiatives to adjust to EU acquis and to set a schedule for these initiatives within the framework of Turkey's EU candidacy, was announced in March 2001.

    The National Programme, which was about general political and economic objectives of Ankara and which was defined as a response to the Accession Partnership Document, also included the measures taken against economic crisis, the priorities in foreign policy, and the reforms foreseen in the direction of EU adjustment and full membership objective.

    The National Programme was welcomed by the EU while ''disharmony'' in Cyprus and southeast questions between the National Programme and the Accession Partnership Document were stressed.

    -LETTER CRISIS IN EU
    When EU Commission's Turkey Desk Chief French Alain Servantie sent an official letter to the so-called ''chairmanship council'' of the terrorist organization PKK in the last month of 2000 and showed that the terrorist organization was considered as an ''interlocutor'', ''a mini crisis'' occured. The solution of that crisis was also delayed till 2001.

    The terrorist organization had written a letter to the EU Commission on November 2, 2000, six days before the EU Commission announced Turkey's Accession Partnership Document, and asked the EU ''to clearly state its approach towards Kurdish issue in the document.''

    Servantie sent a response to the letter on November 20 ''on behalf of EU Commission President Romano Prodi'', ''thanked'' the terrorists ''for their letter'' and officially taken the terrorist organization as an interlocutor. In the letter, Servantie expressed ''EU's views about minority rights and protection of minorities.'' The letter which included criticisms about Turkey and sent to the so-called ''Kurdistan information center-PKK chairmanship council'' was concluded with the expression ''with regards.''

    In the end of Turkey's severe protests, Prodi made a statement and said that he was not informed about the letter in question. He said that it was an administrative mistake.

    EU Turkey Desk Chief Servantie was dismissed from the office in February 2001 and British Michael Leigh was appointed to the office.

    -PROBLEMS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
    Turkey's dialogue with the European Parliament (EP) could not have a robust dimension in 2001.

    EP, which had brought into the agenda so-called Armenian genocide allegations a year ago, drew Ankara's reaction with its decision regarding Cyprus question which did not take into consideration Turkish approach in 2001.

    It was observed that the initiatives of the Joint Parliamentary Commission (JEP) which was considered as ''an organ of dialogue'' between the Turkish parliament and the EP were unproductive.

    -PROGRESS REPORT
    EU Commission unveiled the progress reports of 13 candidate countries and Enlargement Strategy Document in November while it did not shed green light to the screening process, which was the final stage before the beginning of the full membership negotiations, in Turkey's Progress Report.

    The Commission, which touched on the objectives set in the pre-accession process of the candidate countries and the progress they had marked in the priority issues, said in Turkey's accession strategy that they were approaching towards ''a new period.''

    The Commission mentioned the reforms that had been made while gave the message that the steps taken in human rights were found insufficient.

    -CYPRUS
    Cyprus question continued to be the tensest issue in Turkey-EU relations in 2001.

    State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who gave messages and made warnings to the EU each time he visited Brussels, said at a meeting of the EP Foreign Affairs Commission that ''there was a state in the north of Cyprus whether it was recognized or not.''

    Yilmaz said, ''we want a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus, but, I see here that we do not even agree on the basis of the question.''

    Each time he visited Brussels in 2001, Yilmaz gave the message that ''Ankara should not be expected to make concessions on Cyprus question'' and said, ''accession of Greek Cypriot administration to EU will make the solution of the question more difficult. It will harm Turkey-EU relations. It will accelerate integration between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This will mean that all the efforts exerted so far will be in vain.''

    During his contacts in Brussels, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that he considered expressing his views and concerns about Cyprus question to EU wing in a clear way and making a warning as his duty.

    Cem noted that EU candidacy of the Greek Cypriot administration was a breach of agreement and that such developments would make the solution of the question more difficult and push everybody into a difficult position.

    ''EU-Turkey economic relations would be struck in such a development,'' Cem stressed.

    EU wing expressed its expectations and concerns about Cyprus question during the year 2001. EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen for enlargement often reiterated that their approach was clear. If a political solution was not found to Cyprus question, Verheugen said, and if EU members give a decision about Cyprus' EU full membership, a big crisis would occur between Turkey and EU. Verheugen stated that he did not know how they would come out of the issue in such a case.

    Meanwhile, the beginning of face-to-face meetings between TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides was a development ''which eased the atmosphere'' in Brussels.

    -TURKEY'S EXPECTATIONS
    Turkey expressed its expectations from EU to Brussels by the most authorized personalities. Holding contacts in Brussels before the Laeken Summit, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that ''a new strategy'' would be set for Turkey's EU full membership process. Yilmaz noted that the EU Commission ''foresaw a new dialogue and work to progress in full membership perspective'' and stated that the issue would become more clear during Verheugen's visit to Turkey at the beginning of 2002.

    Like Yilmaz, State Minister Kemal Dervis also voiced Turkey's desire to be included in the same group with other EU candidates Romania and Bulgaria during the contacts he held in Brussels toward the end of the year.

    Meanwhile, it was observed that the ''slow and hesitative'' approach of EU in extending support and financial cooperation to Turkey to help overcome its economic crisis were ''not productive.''

    -LAEKEN SUMMIT
    The Laeken Summit held under the Term Presidency of Belgium was ''productive and unproblematic'' for Turkey.

    EU heads of state and government shed green light to the formation of the Convention, a platform in which EU's future would be discussed, and ended the discussions on discrimination by including Turkey in this platform under equal status with other candidates.

    In the paragraph of the Presidency Conclusions released following the Laeken Summit regarding Turkey, it was stated that the prospect of the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey had become closer.

    In the same paragraph, it was noted that Turkey had made progress towards complying with the political criteria established for accession, in particular through the recent amendment of its constitution.

    It was pointed out that this had brought forward the prospect of the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey and added that Turkey was encouraged to continue its progress towards complying with both economic and political criteria, notably with regard to human rights.

    Under another declaration issued at the EU Laeken Summit, it was officially announced that the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) was ''operational'' but NATO-EU cooperation could not be fulfilled due to Greece's approach. Turkey was applauded and congratulated for its constructive attitude towards ESDP.

    Turkey-EU relations will enter a very important and sensitive process in 2002. The searches for ''a new strategy'' of EU, which has taken decisions of no return about enlargement and accelerated reform process, regarding Turkey will have utmost importance for future of the relations.

    [07] MINISTERS COUNCIL DECIDES TO FREEZE FINANCIAL ASSETS

    OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND TERRORISTS IN TURKEY
    ANKARA - The Ministers' Council has decided to freeze the financial assets of terrorist organizations and individuals and organizations who finance terrorism in Turkey.

    The decision which was published in Saturday's Official Gazette referred to the UN Agreement's Article 25 which proposes to freeze the assets of terrorist organizations and terrorists. The article has to be obeyed by all UN member countries.

    The Finance Ministry will be in charge of deciding about all the transactions about the financial assets of terrorist organizations in Turkey.

    The list published by the UN is consisted of the names of 131 terrorist organizations and institutions that finance terrorism. Al Qaida organization and Usama Bin Laden are also on the list.

    Below is the list published by the UN:

    Al Qaida/Islamic Army, Abu Sayyaf Group, Armed Islamic Group (GIA), Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM), Al-Jihad (Egyptian Islamic Jihad), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Asbat al-Ansar, Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (AIAI), Islamic Army of Aden, Usama bin Laden, Muhammad Atif (aka, Subhi Abu Sitta, Abu Hafs Al Masri), Sayf al-Adl, Shaykh Sai'id (aka, Mustafa Muhammad Ahmad), Abu Hafs the Mauritanian (aka, Mahfouz Ould al-Walid, Khalid Al-Shangiti), Ibn Al- Shayk al-Libi, Abu Zubaydah (aka, Zayn al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn, Tariq), Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi (aka Abu Abdallah), Ayman al-Zawahiri, Thirwat Salah Shihata, Tariq Anwar al-Sayyid Ahmad (aka Fathi Amr al-Fatih), Muhammad Salah (aka, Nasr Fahmi Nasr Hasanayn), Makhtab Al-Khidamat/Al Kifah, Wafa Humanitarian Organization, Al Rashid Trust, Mamoun Darkazanli Import-Export Company, Abdullah Ahmet Abdullah, Haji Abdul Manan Agha, Al-Hamati Sweets Bakeries, Muhammad Al-Hamati, Amin Al-Haq, Saqar Al-Jadawi, Ahmad Sa'id Al- Kadr, Anas Al-Liby, Ahmad İbrahim Al-Mughassil, Abdelkarim Hussein Mohammed Al-Nasser, Al-Nur Honey Press Shops, Yasin Al-Qadi, Sa'd Al-Sharif, Al- Shifa'Honey Press for Industry and Commerce, İbrahim Salih Mohammed Al- Yacoub, Ahmet Mohammed Hamed Ali, Ali Atwa, Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah, Bilal Bin Marwan, Ayadi Chafiq Bin Muhammad, Mamoun Darkazanli, Ali Saed Bin Ali El-Hoorie, Mustafa Mohammed Fadhil, Ahmet Khalfan Ghailani, Riad Hijazi, Hasan Izz-Al-Din, Jaish-I-Mohammed, Jam'Yah Ta'Awun Al-Islamia, Mufti Rashid Ahmad Ladehyanoy, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam, Imad Fa'iz Mughniyah, Rabita Trust, Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan, Omar Mahmoud Uthman, Abdul Rahman Yasin, Tohir Yuldashev, Mohammad Zia, Aaran Money Wire Service Inc., Abbas Abdi Ali, Abdi Abdulaziz Ali, Abdirisak Aden, Abdullahi Hussein Kahie, Ahmet Nur Ali Jim'ale (a.k.a. Ahmad Nur Ali Jim'ale; a.k.a Ahmad Ali Jimale; a.k.a. Ahmed Nur Jumale; a.k.a. Ahmed Ali Jumali), Al Baraka Exchange LLC, Al Taqwa Trade, Protery and Industry Company Limited (f.k.a. Al Taqwa Trade, Protery and Industry; f.k.a. Al Taqwa Trade, Property and Industry Establishment; f.k.a. Himmat Establishment), Al-Barakaat (Mogadishu), Al-Barakaat Bank (Mogadishu), Al-Barakaat Bank of Somalia (a.k.a. Barakaat Bank of Somalia; a.k.a BBS), Al-Barakaat Group of Companies Somalia Limited (a.k.a. Al Barakaat Financial Company), Al-Barakat Finance Group, Al-Barakat Financial Holding Company, Al-Barakat Global Telecommunications (a.k.a. Barakaat Globetelcompany), Al-Barakaat Wiring Service (U.S.A.), Al-Barakat International (a.k.a. Baraco Co.), Al-Barakat Investments, Albert Friderich Armand Huber (a.k.a. Ahmed Huber), Ali Ghaleb Himmat, Asat Trust Reg., Bank Al Taqwa Limited (a.k.a. Al Taqwa Bank; a.k.a. Bank Al Taqwa), Baraka Trading Company, Barakaat Boston (U.S.A.), Barakaat Construction Company, Barakaat Enterprise (U.S.A.), Barakaat Group of Companies, Barakaat International (Sweden), Barakaat International Companies (BICO), Barakaat International Foundation, Barakaat International, Inc. (U.S.A.), Barakaat North America, Inc. (Canada & U.S.A.), Barakaat Red Sea Telecommunications, Barakaat Telecommunications Co. Somalia, Ltd., Barakat Telecommunications Company Limited (BTELCO), Barakat Bank and Remittances, Barakat Computer Consulting (BCC), Barakat Consulting Group (BCG), Barakat Global Telephone Company, Barakat Post Express (BPE), Barakat Refreshment Company, Barakat Wire Transfer Company (USA), Barako Trading Company LLC, Dahir Ubeidullahi Aweys, Garad Jama (a.k.a Garad K.Nor; a.k.a. Fartune Ahmed Wasrsame), Global Service International (USA), Hassan Dahir Aweys (a.k.a. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys; a.k.a. Shaykh Hassan Dahir Awes), Heyatul Ulya, Hussein Mahamud Abdullkadir, Liban Hussein, Mohamed Mansour (a.k.a Dr.Mohamed Al- Mansour), Nada Management Organization SA (f.k.a. Al Taqwa Management Organization SA), Parka Trading Company, Red Sea Barakat Company Limited, Somali International Relief Organization (USA), Somali Internet Company, Somali Network AB (a.k.a. SOM NET AB), Youssef M.Nada, Youssef M.Nada&Co.Gesellschaft M.B.H, Youssef Nada (a.k.a. Youssef M. Nada; a.k.a. Youssef Mustafa Nada), Yusaf Ahmed Ali, Zeinab Mansour-Fattouh, Al-Aqsa İslamic Bank (A.K.A. Al-Aqsa Al-Islami Bank), Beit El-Mal Holdings (A.K.A. Arab Palestinian Beit El-Mal Company; A.K.A. Beit Al Mal Holdings; A.K.A. Beit El Mal Al-Phalastini Al-Arabi Al-Mushima Al-Aama Al-Mahaduda Ltd; A.K.A. Palestinian Arab Beit El Mal Corporation, Ltd) Holy Land Foundation For Relief And Development (F.K.A Occupied Land Fund) (USA).''

    -TRANSPORTATION MINISTER VURAL SAYS IF KARS-TBILISI RAILWAY
    IS CONSTRUCTED, RAILWAY NETWORK FROM BRITAIN TO KYRGYZSTAN
    TO BE COMPLETED
    GAZIANTEP - Transportation Minister Oktay Vural said on Sunday that if Kars- Tbilisi railway is constructed, the railway network from Britain to Kyrgyzstan will be completed.

    Speaking to A.A correspondent, Vural said that Turkey is in a very important position for both Caucasian and Middle Eastern countries in respect of transportation with Europe.

    Turkey which has assumed the role of a bridge for reciprocal passages between the Caucasus, Middle East and Europe, said Vural and noted that Turkey has to develop suitable projects in this respect.

    ''One of the important factors in respect of east-west transportation corridor is Kars-Tbilisi railway. If we construct the latter, we will ensure the transportation till Kyrgyzstan,'' he said.

    Vural said that the most significant factor in western axis of this railway project is Istanbul tube tunnel project, adding that ''we think of connecting Asia and Europe by tube tunnel project and with railway. We signed the contract. If we connect Europe and Asia with the tube tunnel, and if we construct Kars-Tbilisi railway, the east-west corridor will be completed from London to Kyrgzstan.''

    Vural said that Turkey will also talk with Syria about the railway transportation from Gaziantep to Aleppo, adding that a step can be taken to revive Hijaz railway.

    Vural said that they work on a study for a sustainable railway project, adding that ''a study was made on a railway project which will transport agricultural products produced in Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP) to the ports. We will make an evaluation meeting on this issue in 2002. We want to develop our relations with Syria in land transportation. Syria is an important country in opening to the Middle East. If Turkey wants to use the opportunities which the geography of Turkey bring, it has to solve the transportation problem with neighbouring countries.''

    Vural said that he would pay an official visit to Syria to have a common transportation policy.

    [08] DILUCU, GURBULAK AND TURKGOZU BORDER GATES HAVE SIGNIFICANT

    CONTRIBUTIONS TO EASTERN ANATOLIA ECONOMY
    ERZURUM - Export and import made in the last one year from Dilucu, Gurbulak and Turkgozu border gates in Eastern Anatolia had significant contributions to the region's economy. Dogukapi, Alican and Aktas border gates on Armenian border remain closed.

    At Gurbulak border gate in Agri's Dogubeyazit township, 42 million 586,705 U.S. dollars of export, 12 million 119,158 U.S. dollars of import was done in 2001. At Dilucu border gate in Igdir's Aralik township, 12 milllion 574, 546 U.S. dollars of export and one million 335,781 U.S. dollars of import was done in the same period.

    At Turkgozu border gate at Ardahan's Posof township, only 2 million 941,965 U.S. dollars of export and 267,220 U.S. dollars of import was done.

    The total export at Eastern Anatolia in 2001 was 58 million 103,219 U.S. dollars and import was 13 million 722,159 U.S. dollars.

    [09] TAI PRODUCES 16 COUGAR HELICOPTERS

    ANKARA - The number of Cougar helicopters produced by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) reached 16 as of the end of December 2001.

    TAI planned to produce one helicopter in a month and this plan continues with success.

    Cougar As-532 helicopter production programme which carries great importance for TAI will be completed in the last quarter of 2002. TAI will produce 20 helicopters for the Air Forces and ten helicopters for the Land Forces.

    In addition to the two helicopters produced in Eurocopter's installations in France and which were given to TAI, the latter will produce 28 more helicopters within the scope of Phenix II programme foreseen to be carried out between 1997-2003.

    The first Cougar MK1 helicopter was handed over to Land Forces Command on May 31, 2000 in a ceremony held in TAI.

    [10] UNEMPLOYED MAN HOLDS PROTEST IN FRONT OF PRIME MINISTRY

    ANKARA - An unemployed person held a protest in front of Prime Ministry building on Sunday.

    Fevzi Torun (45) tried to sew his mouth with a needle and opened a banner written ''I Want Job'' on it.

    Torun, who said that he was recently released from prison and he was unemployed, was rendered in effective by policemen and taken to police station.

    [11] AK PARTY DEPUTY YAKIS:''ECEVIT, BEFORE HIS VISIT TO THE U.S., SHOULD MEET WITH

    PARTY LEADERS''
    ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK) Deputy Chairman Yasar Yakis has said that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit should open a general debate about Iraq and Afghanistan at Parliament or at least meet with the political party leaders before he visits the United States.

    Yakis expressed his views about the U.S. operation in Afganistan and a possible operation against Iraq at a press conference on Sunday at party headquarters in Ankara.

    Yakis stated that certain groups in the United States support the U.S. operation against Iraq and stressed that Turkey would be very much affected by such an operation. ''Turkish officials had announced that we're against a military operation against Iraq but it would be more influential if the prime minister is backed by our Parliament,'' he commented.

    Yakis said an operation against Iraq would not be as easy as an Afhanistan operation.

    ''Iraq has a higher resistence against air attacks than Afghanistan does. Moreover, there are no allegations that link Saddam to Sept.11 attacks. Russia announced that it is against the U.S. operation against Iraq. France and China also stay distant from such a possibility,'' he said.

    ''In a possible attack against Iraq, Turkey would have bigger responsibility than other countries in the region. Therefore Turkey's stance would be influential in the decision of the United States. The United States has stated that it also respects the territorial integrity of Iraq and the operation would only be launched to topple Saddam. I would be an uncautious behavior to solve this problem by the scenerios prepared by foreign experts who are unfamiliar to the facts of the region. First of all, there is no guarantee that they would achieve to topple Saddam.''

    Yakis said his party was hoping that Ecevit would be realistic on this matter when he meets with U.S. officials.

    ''The prime minister should open a general debate at Parliament or at least meet with the political party leaders before he goes to the United States, '' he said.

    He maintained that it was unfortunate that Turkey is economically so weak while all these were going on. ''The negotiating power of an economically weak country would be also weak. There could be a leaning not to object too much to the demands of the United States in return of economic support of this country. But our people would not give up our long term goals for the sake of reaching a number of short term goals,'' he said.


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