Selections From Todays Turkish Press

US President George W. Bush thanked Turkey and her people for the support they gave his country in her against terrorism. Pointing out that the US had supported Turkey during her fight against terrorism, Bush said, "Now Turkey and the Turks are extending friendship to and solidarity with us." After receiving the credentials of Turkey's new Ambassador to Washington, Faruk Lologlu, Bush stressed that Turkey was a country which had been a strategic and a long-standing partner of the US. He also added the US will continue to support Turkey's full integration to the EU. /All Papers/

CEM: "TURKEY DOES NOT TAKE A RISK"

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, said the fact that the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) gave the government the authority to send soldiers abroad should not be interpreted as Turkey has entered in the war. He added, "Nobody expects Turkey to make contributions or sacrifices that might disturb Turkey." Cem answered the questions concerning the issues on the agenda on CNN Turk channel and said the decision taken by the TGNA should not be considered as a "sacrifice". /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY AGAINST AN OPERATION IN IRAQ

It was stated that contrary to the claims, an attack by the US against Iraq was not a strong possibility and that it was full of difficulties. In the report issued by the "Eurasia Group", based in New York, it was stated that these difficulties stemmed from Turkey, Russia and the Middle Eastern countries. In the report, it was further stated that Turkey favored the territorial unity of Iraq and that a revolt by the Kurds in Northern Iraq would put Turkey's national security into danger. /Cumhuriyet/

THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT ON TURKEY

In the report about Turkey, prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which is famous for its political and economic analyses about countries, it was stated that if the economy recovers in the year 2002, an election might be held during the second half of the year. In the report, it was stated that a new party, which is expected to be established, will be successful. However, this party's name was not given. In the report, it was also mentioned that the coalition had lost its popularity and added, "The only chance of the coalition is to follow the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) program. Thus, the economy might begin to recover." It was further stated that if Turkey, whose geo-strategic importance had increased after the terrorist attack against the US on September 11 and whose international profile has heightened due to its membership to the NATO and its approach against terrorism, supports the struggle against the extreme Islamic currents, she will be able to solve its economic problems and guarantee the aid. It was added that the latest developments increased the importance of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and the Armed Forces. /Milliyet/

TURKEY SENDS AID TO AFGHAN REFUGEES

Turkey has sent tons of aid to Afghan refugees taking shelter in Pakistan and Iran. The aid consisting of thousands of blankets and tons of food, was sent by the Turkish Red Crescent Society (Kizilay). The aid package is worth TL 100 billion. Among the food sent to Pakistan is rice, the 'national food' of Pakistan. Turkey is one of the importers of high-quality Pakistani rice. Some 2,500 blankets and eight tons of food were sent by airplane to Pakistan. Kizilay is also on alert at Turkey's border with Iraq in the event that war may spread to that country. Tents and blankets were sent to border provinces such as Van, Hakkari, Mus and Sirnak. /Turkish News/

MIRZAOGLU RECEIVES KHARTOUM GOVERNOR

State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu received Abdul Halim al Mutafi, Governor of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and an accompanying delegation as well as Sudan's Ankara Ambassador Bahattin Hanefi. Mirzaoglu told reporters that Mutafi visited Turkey to sign a "sister cities" protocol between Istanbul and Khartoum. Mutafi expressed Sudan's will to enhance relations with Turkey. /Turkish Daily News/

CAY CONTINUES CONTACTS IN ALBANIA

State Minister Abdulhak Mehmet Cay, who is on an official visit to Albania, met Albanian Education and Science Minister Ben Bluschi and Foreign Minister Arta Dade. Bluschi submitted their request from the Turkish government to increase the number of scholarships for Albanian students who desire to continue their university education in Turkey. Cay and Foreign Minister Dade evaluated political situation in the region and discussed anti-terror measures. /Turkish Daily News/

ONE MORE DEPUTY RESIGNS FROM ANAP

ANAP deputy from Giresun, Burhan Kara, resigned from his party yesterday. With this resignation, the number of ANAP deputies in the Parliament dropped to 82, while independents increased to 22. /Turkiye/

DERVIS MEETS G-7 AMBASSADORS

State Minister Kemal Dervis met with the G-7 countries' Ambassadors to Ankara. The meeting was held at the Canadian Embassy in Ankara and participated by Japanese, German, Italian, American, French and Canadian Ambassadors to Ankara. Following the meeting, an explanation had not been made and it was learned that providing foreign resource for the Turkish economy had been discussed. Following the meeting, Dervis did not release any statement, either. /Hurriyet/

OZOGUZ ELECTED AS A DEPUTY

Aydan Ozoguz, who was elected as a deputy in the Hamburg province elections, took her post. Ozoguz, who is the Korber Foundation's General Director to the Turkish project, was elected from the Socialist Democrat Party. At the Hamburg Province Assembly she said, "I will be the voice of the foreign and Turkish people living here." /Sabah/

ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT

As research continues in the area where the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline is to cross, local administrations are investigating the environmental impact of the project. The project participants seek to ensure the environmental viability of the pipeline through consultations with citizens and local administrations. Speaking in a meeting in Istanbul to inform the public about the work on environmental impact of the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project, Gunal Ozenirler, the coordinator of the project, said they paid the utmost attention not to interfere with historical structures. The pipeline is planned to go into operation in 2005. /Turkish Daily News/

CHIBBER: WE WILL EXTEND TURKEY ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SOURCE

The World Bank's Turkey Representative Ajay Chibber said the World Bank will ensure Turkey additional financial source and details on the topic will be made clear soon. Following a press conference on the "Project to Decrease the Social Risk", Chibber told reporters that the World Bank would continue to give support to Turkey in many ways. Regarding a question on reforms in the banking sector, he said, " I believe many things have been done in the banking sector, however, reforms will continue, as all problems have not been solved yet." /Turkiye/

DEIK TO HOST PRIMAKOV

The General Council meeting of the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) will be held in Istanbul on October 15. According to the statement issued, the Russian Federation former Prime Minister, Yevgeni Primakov, will give a speech during the luncheon to be held within the framework of the general council. /Cumhuriyet/

BMG SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH DOGAN GROUP

One of the biggest companies of the world of music, BMG, signed an agreement of cooperation with one of the companies of Dogan Group, Dogan Music Company (DMC). According to the agreement, the BMG will be represented by DMC in Turkey and the two groups will make a breakthrough in the Turkish market with a total of 1,200 albums. The world-famous stars will come to Turkey and promote their new albums thanks to the agreement signed by the General Director of DMC, Ersan Saatci, and the BMG's Deputy Chairman in Eastern Europe, Bernd Fakesch. /Hurriyet/

YAMALIK ELECTED AS A MEMBER OF FDI

Prof. Nermin Yamalık became the first dentist, who was elected as a member of the World Dental Federation (FDI), where Turkey will represented for the first time. According to the statement released by the FDI, Prof. Yamalık was elected as a member of the FDI's "Dental Practice" Commission and will represent the Union of Turkish Dentists. /Cumhuriyet/

TASAR'S STATEMENT

Minister of Tourism, Mustafa Tasar, said Turkish tourism will not be affected negatively by the American operation unless it is carried out near the Turkish border. He added that there is not a great deal of reservation cancelled within Turkey. He further stated, "It is accepted by the world that Turkey is a safe country. Otherwise, the leading airlines would not take their points of transfer from Dubai to Turkey." /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY'S FOREIGN DEBT REPAYMENT

Turkey paid some of its foreign debt amounting to 80.79 million US dollars between October 1 and 10. According to the data of the Central Bank, 57.30 million US dollars of this amount was paid by the Treasury, 6.68 million US dollars by the Central Bank and 16.81 million US dollars by the administrations with general and supplementary budgets during the above mentioned period of time. /Cumhuriyet/

JAPANESE ART IN ISTANBUL

The Japanese Consul General in Istanbul held a "Visual Arts Exhibition" to further improve its friendly relations with Turkey. The young Japanese artists' works will be exhibited in the exhibition, which will be open until October 20. The exhibitions, which had won a degree during the festival that was organized under the same name in Japan by the Foundation of Japanese Art and Culture in 2000, will be presented to the art lovers in Turkey. /Sabah/

TUI TO BRING 150,000 TOURISTS TO ANTALYA

One of the biggest tour operators, the German TUI, stated that it would bring 150,000 tourists in this winter. This is the same number of tourists brought to Antalya in 1999. TUI's Director to Germany-Turkey, Dieter Schenk, said, "Antalya has been the best holiday region after Mallorca. The TUI will increase its flights to Antalya this year. Turkey will be one of the best countries of tourism next year. The number of tourists visiting Turkey will increase and these tourists will be Europeans, who have a capacity to spend large amounts." /Milliyet/

THE REASONS ARE IMPORTANT BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the TGNA decision to send troops to Afghanistan. A summary of his column is as follows: "As the debates on whether Turkey has to be more active or not in the face of the new developments went on, she has entered the war waged against terrorism. First, she informed the US of her decision, opened her airspace and bases and shared the information she had with the USA and made suggestions. Following these, by receiving authority fom the Parliament to send troops to Afghanistan and liaison officers to the US, she took her place in this special war launched against terrorism. This was inevitable and Turkey's location, basic policy and interests forced her to adopt such a decision. If Afghanistan had not sheltered Bin Laden, Taleban Administration had not supported the terrorists, at least if she had acted as Syria had done on Ocalan, Afghanistan would not have been the target today. Any other country, even if she is not Muslim, would have received the same treatment. For example, the West had bombed Yugoslavia for the incidents in Kosovo. There are many reasons why Turkey should not be excluded from this development. First of all, this war is a part of the international campaign against terrorism and it is in Turkey's interests to participate in these efforts as a country who has long suffered from terrorism and is still fighting with it. The recent developments are shaping the balances in the region and the world. If Turkey is left out, she will not have the opportunity to direct the formations in the region strecthing from Iraq to Central Asia and will not be able to play a significant role. Thus she would have left the arena to her rivals. One other reason why she has to participate in these, is the economic crisis she is going through. She needs the support of the US and other allies in her efforts to overcome the difficulties in her economy. This support could only be provided by a solidarity with the US at this stage. The operation against Afghanistan should not make us forget the reasons for it. The destruction and human tragedy caused by the bombardment should not make us forget the terrorist actions of Bin Laden and Taleban. It must be remembered that it could only be eliminated with internationl solidarity and determination. If only there had been a way to reach this aim without firing a shot, and those who are posing a danger could have been dissuaded from continuing their terrorist activities. However, humanity has not acquired such commonsense or maturity yet."