Selections From Todays Turkish Press

NATO has declared that the hijack attacks on the United States can be considered as an assault against all member states. NATO Secretary-General George Robertson said the U.S. would receive support for military action from its 18 NATO partners if it was determined that the attacks were committed from abroad. It is the first time in 52 years that the NATO has invoked Article V - the North Atlantic Treaty's mutual defense clause saying that if one member state is under attack all other member nations would defend it. The Article V, which was signed in April 1949, says, "The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them... will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area." The decision means that NATO guarantees military and logistic support to any U.S. retaliation. /All Papers/

SEZER: "THIS SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES"

Stating that European countries should change their attitude and state of mind towards terrorism, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that the international cooperation for Turkey's struggle against terrorism should also be improved. Sezer said, "I share the pain of the US which is one of our best allies and friends." Sezer pointed out that terrorism was a crime committed against all humanity. He added," That's why we have always repeated in all international platforms that international cooperation in the fight against terrorism should be improved. The attacks on the US has shown how correct Turkey is in her stance against terrorism. I guess the attitudes of European countries have begun to change too." /Cumhuriyet/

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ON TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE US

The only agenda was the terrorist attacks on the US during yesterday's Council of Ministers meeting. The Council discussed the package of measures prepared by the Crisis Management Center which was established within the structure of the National Security Council (MGK) yesterday. Proposing new methods and strategies against terrorism, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey shared the grief of American people. Stating that Turkey is always with the US in her fight against terrorism, Ecevit reminded the necessity for developing new strategies and methods in a world where defense became more difficult as technology advanced. The first issue among the measures to be taken was the increase in the oil prices after the attack. It was decided that the oil consumption must be kept at a minimum level since the increase in prices would affect Turkish economy negatively. The Crisis Management Center proposed measures to be taken for the security of the US representatives in Turkey. The Council also evaluated the measures which might be necessary if the US retaliates in the Middle East. /Cumhuriyet/

HIGH LEVEL TURKISH OFFICIALS CONDEMN TERRORISM

Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli proposed in yesterday's Council of Ministers meeting that September 11th 2001 shall be declared as "the World Fight Against Terrorism and Commemoration of Its Victims Day." Condemning terrorism as a crime committed against humanity, Bahceli said, "The tragedy which American people are experiencing today has showed once again that we must fight against terrorism in all platforms with full cooperation." Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said it was unfortunate that Turkey's correct attitude against terrorism was justified with such a disastrous terrorist attack. Minister of National Defense Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said this incident should be a warning for the countries who were continuing to shelter terrorists. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that certain points in Turkish foreign policy should be re-evaluated after the recent incident in the US." Minister of State responsible for Economy Kemal Dervis conveyed his condolences messages to US Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill and US ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson. /Cumhuriyet/

ANKARA DISCUSSES MISSILE DEFENSE

Meeting at the Eurasian Strategic Researches Center (ASAM), The members of the National Security Council (MGK), Office of the Chief of the General Staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and academicians who are experts on international relations discussed the missile defense project developed by the US which is expected to become more important in terms of international security. It was stated that representatives from the Office of the Chief of the General Staff said, "Turkey should be cautious about the missile defense project. There is no such great threat in the region today. Our policy must be based on not irritating our neighbors." Meanwhile, The members of the MGK said reportedly, "Turkey must not participate in such a project without being totally aware of the "real policies" of her neighbors and the US. It is more rational to take part in such a project via NATO rather than the US." Scientists emphasized that Turkey should be careful in taking such decisions in this period or wrong steps might make Turkey one of the main targets of international terrorism." /Sabah/

HIGH SECURITY ALERT ON INCIRLIK AIRBASE

Following the terrorist attacks in the US, high-level security measures have been taken in the US Incirlik Airbase. Two jetfighters and one transport plane took off from the base, and later two more jetfighters, one command and control and one tanker plane left the base yesterday. Out of 1300 civilian Turkish personel, only ones at emergency services were allowed to enter the base and work while the others were accepted to be on leave. /Hurriyet/

INCREASED SECURITY AT ATATURK AIRPORT

Ataturk Airport Administration Director Saim Eskioglu said that after the terrorist attacks in Taksim and in the United States, security measures had been increased to their highest level. Under new directions from the Interior Ministry, searches on persons and luggage at the entrance doors of the airport have been increased, he stated. He also added that besides X-ray devices, individuals are being examined individually by hand to discourage illegal practices. /Turkish News/

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY IS NECESSARY

Turkish Industrialists and Businessman Association (TUSIAD) stated that the events that happened in the U.S., exposed the dimensions of international terrorism and that there is a need for international cooperation and solidarity to fight against international terrorism. It is stated that the main target of terrorism is democracy and individual rights. /Milliyet/

THE EMBASSY IS CLOSED TODAY TOO

The Embassy of USA informed that it will not perform any public services including giving out visas today too. The Spokesman of the U.S. Embassy Jess Bailey thanked for the condolence messeges and reported that it is not possible to give public services because of security precautions and stated that they are thankful for the security measures that Turkey took for the American and Turkish staff at the Embassy. /Hürriyet/

THY FLIGHTS TO AMERICA AND ISRAEL CANCELLED

Since U.S. and Israel national airspaces have been closed to commercial traffic, Turkish national carrier Turkish Airlines has cancelled its flights to New York, Chicago and Tel Aviv. Turkish Airlines authorities said flights will resume when the United States and Israel reopen their national airspaces. /Turkish Daily News/

PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI'S SWEDEN TRIP CANCELLED

Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Omer Izgi's Stockholm trip has been cancelled. Izgi was expected to attend a conference titled "EU Parliamentary Speakers Conference" /Turkish Daily News/

CILLER: GOVERNMENT BETRAYED PEOPLE

Regarding the murder of businessmen Uzeyir Garih and the suicide bomb attack in Taksim square, the True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said, "This government betrayed the Turkish people with its Amnesty Law."She said the incidents were an abuse of the Amnesty Law, which caused a lack of confidence in Turkey." /Turkiye/

KUTAN'S STATEMENT

The Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan said yesterday that it would take a naive mind to link Afghanistan or Palestine with the terrorist attack on the United States. Turkish Confederation of Employers' Union (TISK) Chairman Refik Baydur paid a visit to SP leader Recai Kutan at SP headquarters in Ankara. Baydur told reporters that he paid a visit to congratulate Kutan on the establishment of his party, and exchange views on the latest domestic and international developments. In response to a question on the terrorist attack on the United States, Kutan said that there were allegations that the perpetrators could be Islamic terror organizations and added, "A true Muslim will never think of carrying out such a violent, evil attack." /Turkish News/

PRESS CONFERENCE BY SABANCI

The ruling of the Belgian Court regarding if Fehriye Erdal is going to be tried in Belgium for crimes committed in Turkey, will be announced today. Erdal is one of the assassins in the Ozdemir Sabanci case. The Council of State will decide if it is possible to try her in line with Belgian law. Prior to this announcement, Demir Sabanci, the son of Ozdemir Sabanci, and Erdal's lawyers both held press conferences in Brussels. Demir Sabanci said that in his opinion Belgian stance was wrong and a terrorist should be extradited. Expressing his belief in Belgian justice, Sabanci said Belgium had to show that it followed a policy against terrorism. Sabanci said he would defend the rights of his father to the end and even if an unwanted decision came about he would apply to the European Court of Human Rights. /Sabah/

TBB ANNOUNCES NEW CONSTITUTION PROPOSAL

The Turkish Bars Association (TBB) announced a draft Constitution it prepared by the help of 10 academicians in a press conference yesterday. TBB Chairman Ozdemir Ozok said that everybody was aware that Turkey needed a brand new Constitution. The draft includes articles such as removing the ban on other languages, abolishing the death penalty and increasing compulsory and uninterrupted education to 11 years. /Cumhuriyet/

ISTANBUL DEPUTY YALCINTAS IN AK PARTY

Istanbul Deputy Nevzat Yalcintas, who was independent after the closure of the Welfare Party(RP), entered Justice and Progress Party yesterday. With this change, the seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly are distributed as: Democratic Socialist Party(DSP) 132, Nationalistic Action Party(MHP) 126, the Motherland Party(ANAP) 86,True Path Party(DYP) 79, Justice and Progress Party(AKP) 52, Felicity Party(SP) 48, Independent 18 and nine vacancies./Sabah/

KAHKONEN: IMF LOANS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED NEGATIVELY

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief of Turkey Desk, Juha Kahkonen, visited the Chairman of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB), Rifat Hisarciklioglu yesterday. Following the meeting, Hisarciklioglu said he informed Kahkonen about the issues of the Turkish industralists and they decided to cooperate more closely with the IMF after that. Hisarciklioglu told reporters that Kahkonen emphasized there will be no trouble in IMF's Turkey loan package due to the recent incident in the U.S. /Turkiye/

TREASURY CANCELS MEETINGS IN THE US

The Treasury cancelled the US part of the meetings to be held to inform American and European investors about the recent developments in Turkish economy. Turkish delegation, headed by Treasury Deputy Undersecretary, Aydin Karaoz, has completed their programs in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. However, other scheduled meetings in New York and New Jersey has been called off due to the recent attacks to the US. /Turkiye/

TUPRAS: FUEL OIL STOCKS ARE ENOUGH

Husamettin Danis, General Director of the Turkish Petroleum Refineries Joint Company (TUPRAS) said Turkey has enough LPG, fuel, gasoline and military products in her inventory. He said, "Turkey will not be faced with a shortage in petroleum products." /Turkiye/

BALKAN MINISTERS OF AGRICULTURE TO MEET

The Ministers of Agriculture from Balkan countries will meet in Istanbul on Sep. 15-16. During the meetings, the establishment of new organizations to increase the cooperation in agriculture between Balkan countries will be taken up and the Agricultural Cooperation Agreement is expected to be signed. /Turkiye/

ILLUMINATION SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL

The International Illumination Congress and Fair was opened in Istanbul yesterday. The main theme is "the city illumination and decorating" and 98 declarations of 29 countries' participants will be discussed during two day-meetings. /Turkiye/

OPERA CHARM IN ASPENDOS

In the coming days the Aspendos amphitheather is hosting a number of classical recitals under the name of "Opera Magic in the Autumn." On Sep. 14, there will be lyrical autumn night recital with the participation of Soprano Funda Atesoglu, mezzosoprano Sebnem Algin, tenor Omer Yilmaz, baritone Tuncay Tercan and bass Bulent Atesoglu. /Turkish News/

POWER AND JUSTICE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

Columnist Gungor Mengi comments on the terrorist attack in the US and its possible consequences. A summary of his column is as follows: "During the Cold War the world was made up of friends and foes. Nuclear threat was enormous but could be controlled by two red phones. The fall of the Berlin Wall was accepted by the whole world as the heralder of a free future for all with no fear. However, the incidents on September 11 have shown that there is a far greater enemy which cannot be controlled before the fulfilling of such a promise. No state, no capital is safe any more. An economy and technology giant believed to be ready for the 21st century wars could not protect its own people at home. From now on the free world will enter a new era where security will be planned against international terrorism . The reason keeping NATO alive, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union was international terrorism. It was foreseen that the world peace would be threatened by terrorist organizations. However, no one expected that the US security shield based on the latest technology and information gathering would be pierced by such a flawless organization. An understanding which believed that global security should be structured against terrorism was being accepted by the Governments. This attack has resulted in the acceptance of this belief by all nations, surpassing the Governments. The Third World War started by international terrorism will lead to an increase in the fight against terrorism. Terrorism will be more clearly defined and the injustices we have been subjected to in this field will decrease. The American experience will be a lesson to every country that for national security it is not enough to protect the borders. The strategy of eradicating terrorism where it is sheltered will be the choice for all. The perpetrators of this attack should be found out otherwise any wrong assumptions will result in leading those accused towards the ranks of the real perpetrators. We hope that reason, the creator of civilizations will not let the hopes of freedom and prosperity fall prey to blind revenge. Otherwise mistakes deepening the feelings of injustice, will not eradicate but foster terrorism."