Selections From Todays Turkish Press

Founder of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk will be commemorated tomorrow to mark the 63th anniversary of his demise with various ceremonies held throughout Turkey. New this year, the Ministry of Culture will also stage a "Special Night" in Ankara which will include ballet, music, theater, folk dance performances. /Turkiye/

RABBANI REQUESTS SEZER'S SUPPORT

During the second day of his visit to Tajikistan, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer met the overthrown Afghan head of state Burhaneddin Rabbani. Following the nearly one-hour meeting Rabbani said, "We have requested logistical support for our soldiers and forces from all friendly countries. Our own force is enough for the Taleban. We are strong enough to get rid of the Taleban. We only need logistical support." /Sabah/

SEZER: TURKEY WILL SUPPORT A STRONG GEORGIA

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer met with Georgia's President Eduard Shevardnadze yesterday in Tblisi. Sezer said that "conflicts in this region show that a strong Georgia is needed, and Turkey will always support Georgia's integrity and independence." Sezer also remarked that he was very pleased with Georgia's support and cooperation in the struggle against terrorism. For his part, President Shevardnadze said that relations with Turkey were going very well and that he was very gratified Turkey's support./Hürriyet/

TURCO-AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL PRAISES TURKEY'S AFGHAN INVOLVEMENT

During meetings in Ankara yesterday, a Turco-American business council delegation chaired by former US National Security Advisor Gen. Brent Scowcroft said that Turkey's decision to send soldiers to Afghanistan had created an opportunity for it to solve its problems regarding Turkish exports to the US. The American businessmen gave the message to Turkey that a favorable atmosphere was being created and that Turkey should use its influence on behalf of free trade agreements. In related news it was announced that State Minister Tunca Toskay, who is to attend World Trade Organization meetings soon, will also meet with US Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick. /Milliyet/

ECEVIT: "SUPPORT FOR THE AFGHANISTAN OPERATIONS IS A DEBT TO HUMANITY"

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said yesterday that Turkey's support for the Afghanistan operations was a way of paying a debt to humanity. Addressing the Democratic Left Party (DSP) group meeting, Ecevit remarked that the Sept. 11 attacks on the US showed the danger of terrorism for all of humanity. Stressing that Turkey had suffered greatly from terrorism for years, Ecevit noted that during Turkey's fight against terrorism, the most powerful support had come from the US. He added, "For this reason, it is our debt to support the US regarding the Afghanistan operations, and we will send a contingent of 90 officers." Additionally, Ecevit also criticized opposition parties by saying that they were sabotaging Parliament's work by proposing superfluous motions. /Turkiye/

MORE THAN 90 SOLDIERS MAY BE SENT

Speaking to US television network on Wednesday, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit left open the possibility that Turkey might deploy more troops to Afghanistan than the initial contingent of 90. "I would like to say that we should leave [the possibility] open with regard to possible developments in the future," he stated. Germany, France and Italy are sending 2,000-4,000 soldiers each to Afghanistan, and some diplomats cite this as a reason why that Turkey may send more of its soldiers. Some also say that Turkey should play a major role in that region./Hurriyet/

US AMBASSADOR: WE NEED TURKEY'S HELP

US Ambassador Robert Pearson said on Thursday that Turkey and the United States had always enjoyed good and friendly relations, adding, "In this critical period, however, the United States needs Turkey more than ever." Speaking at the American Business Culture Day organized by the Aegean Free Zone Corp. (ESBAS), Pearson said that Turkey had always offered excellent cooperation to his country, and he added that Turkey's help was indispensable for the United States under the current circumstances. The US Ambassador remarked that cooperation between the two countries would involve not only military ties, but also the fields of intelligence, politics, diplomacy and finance. Speaking on Turkish-European Union relations, Pearson said that Turkey was of vital importance to the EU, and emphasized that Turkey had to exert efforts to develop its relations with the United States. He called on Turkish and US businessmen to exert more efforts to achieve this aim./Turkish News/

PAPANDREOU AND CEM SIGN NEW CONFIDENCE-BUILDING AGREEMENTS

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou announced yesterday at a press conference that they had reached agreement on three protocols and three confidence-building measures packages. Among the issues included in the confidence-building packages are further cooperation between the two countries' chiefs of general staff and invitation of one side's officers to the other side's maneuvers as observers. The protocols cover the extradition of refugees, diplomatic contacts and establishing joint institutions to deal with natural disasters. Papandreou said that the protocols on refugees only covered refugees who had left their countries due to economic problems. /Cumhuriyet/

KIVRIKOGLU'S CLAIM VERIFIED BY UN

The United Nations has verified Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu's recent claim that Greece still support terrorist organizations which are engaged in illegal activities against Turkey. According to Greek daily Elephtherostipos, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)has presented a report on the issue to Turkey's Permanent Representative in Geneva. The report stressed that anti-Turkish opinions were flourishing throughout the Lavrion refugee camp which is located near Athens. /Cumhuriyet/

DENKTAS INVITES CLERIDES FOR DIRECT TALKS

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas has written a letter to Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides inviting him to attend face-to-face talks on Thursday. Speaking yesterday at a meeting of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot metal workers' unions in Girne, Denktas said that he had sent the letter early on Thursday morning without attaching any title to his name. This is significant since Denktas has long insisted that Clerides recognize his authority and position as TRNC President. "I believe that there is a benefit in a sincere dialogue with Clerides. I wanted to arrange such a meeting through (UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Cyprus Envoy( Alvaro de Soto but it did not work. For me it is the right time," he said, apparently referring to the process of Greek Cyprus' entry into the European Union. He said that his meeting with Clerides would be useful as he knows all the negative outcomes associated with Greek Cypriots' entering the EU as sole representatives of the entire island. /Turkish News/

FORMER RUSSIAN FM PLEDGES BETTER TIES WITH ANKARA

Former Russian Foreign Minister Albert Chernishev said yesterday that Russian President Vladimir Putin was planning to pay a visit to Turkey early next year, and emphasized that his country was keen to improve ties with Turkey in all aspects. The two countries have advanced ties in many fields and the volume of bilateral trade has reached $4 billion, he said./Turkish News/

DEMIREL: "THE ONLY SOLUTION IS ELECTIONS "

Former President Suleyman Demirel has said that the only method for overcoming Turkey's current political troubles was to hold elections. Yesterday, Demirel attended the Fourth Eurasia Economy Summit. Replying to journalists' questions, Demirel said, "If there is anyone who knows another solution, they should tell us. The only remedy for the current crisis in Turkey is elections." Commenting on speculation about Turkey possible annexing northern Iraq, Demirel said, "The Republic of Turkey is a member of the UN and has kept the peace for 78 years. It is always respectful of other countries' territorial unity." /Turkiye/

HEALTH MINISTER DURMUS VISITS SAKARYA

Health Minister Durmus said that no savings could be made in health expenditures, but that waste can be prevented by dispensing drugs only in obligatory hospital packages, the Anatolia news agency reported on Thursday. Minister Durmus said in a statement in Adapazari, which he visited for research meetings and opening ceremonies, that the intent was not to save money but rather to prevent waste. "No savings can be made in the health sector, as that could lead to deaths. However, there is a problem of waste in the health sector which we have been trying to address." /Turkish News/

NAZIM HIKMET MONUMENT TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY CULTURE MINISTRY

The Culture Ministry announced yesterday that it would construct a monument to famous poet Nazim Hikmet to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death. The bronze monument will be constructed by sculptor Tankut Oktem and will be dedicated on Jan. 15 2002, the poet's birthday, at the park adjacent to Istanbul's Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Hall. /Sabah/

SMUGGLED ARTIFACTS SIEZED

Gendarmerie teams conducted operations yesterday in Sarihamzali Village, mear Adana's Seyhan district and investigated a car belonging to suspects identified as Suleyman S. and Atilla C. In the course of the investigation, the painting "Dancer Gypsy Girl" attributed to Picasso, a bronze statue, 21 gold pieces and 46 bronze coins dating to Byzantine, Roman and Hitite era were seized. Suspects Ahmet G., Usta H., and Serdar A. were detained concerning the matter. /Milliyet/

TURKISH, ARMENIAN AND AZERI JOURNALISTS SIGN PROTOCOL

A group of journalists fron Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a cooperation protocol on Thursday in a effort to contribute to the improvement of dialogue between the three countries. The protocol was signed by Diplomatic Correspondents Association (DMD) Chairman Yusuf Kanli and Turkish Democracy Foundation (TDV) Secretary-General Murat Sengul on behalf of Turkey. Yerevan Press Club Chairman Boris Navasardian and Yeni Nesil Journalist Association Chairman Arif Aliyev signed the protocol on behalf of Armenia and Azerbaijan, respectively./Turkish News/

EURASIA ECONOMY SUMMIT

The 4th Eurasia Economy Summit held by the Marmara Strategic Research Foundation began in Istanbul yesterday. Former Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelyev stressed the importance of cooperation among the Balkan countries. Stating that Russia was planning to improve cooperation between Eurasian countries, former Russian Foreign Minister Albert Chernishev said, "We must solve our common problems together." Meanwhile, UN Representative Alfredo Witschi Cestari stated that although globalization had enabled countries to take significant steps in the economic sphere, certain problems were as yet unsolvable and that this showed the necessity for further cooperation. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY DRAFTS BILL TO REMOVE OBSTACLES TO SELL-OFFS

Turkey has drafted a bill to eliminate administrative obstacles to the Privatization Administration (OIB), a government spokesman announced yesterday. Beginning Friday, Government ministers will evaluate the bill and decide on it shortly, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel told reporters after a cabinet meeting. "The OIB is complaining that it has reached at a dead end on sell-offs due to a shortage of powers and facilities. Various methods to escape this dead-end are under consideration . This bill is by and large aimed at eliminating these difficulties." /Turkish Daily News/

FOOD-TEC-2001 OPENS

The Second Food and Food Technologies Fair (FOOD-TEC-2001) was opened yesterday in Altinpark in Ankara. Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu and Ankara Greater City Municipality Mayor Melih Gokcek attended the opening ceremony. Addressing the gathered crowd, Gokalp evaluated recent discussions about the state's getting smaller. He said, "State doesn't get smaller, but instead grows. We are trying to revamp the clumsy structures of the state. We are handing over certain duties to the private sector. This is a policy to improve the quality of production. Production is the only way for us to surmount our economic problems." /Turkiye/

SUCCESSFUL TOURISM SEASON

Turkey Travel Agencies Union (TURSAB) Vice President Hulya Aslantas said yesterday that the number of tourists who had visited Turkey in January-September 2001 had increased 16.55 percent over the same period last year. Aslantas said that in recent years Turkey has had tourism seasons with no major problems, and added that it was time to catch up with trends in tourism. /Turkish Daily News/

CYPRUS IN THE EU PROCESS BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)

Columnist Derya Sazak comments on former State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik's statements regarding Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows: "The repercussions of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's statement to the effect that Turkey would not accept the full EU membership of the Greek Cypriot administration even though it might exact a high price are still being felt in Athens and Ankara. Istanbul Deputy Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik launched an initiative calling for a discussion of EU-Cyprus relations in a closed session of Parliament. The support shown for Irtemcelik's request by deputies displays their desire to be enlightened on the issue. Which is more important for Turkey, Cyprus or the EU? Cannot the 'win-win' principle in diplomacy be implemented regarding Turkish-Greek relations? Irtemcelik believes that the civilized world mobilized to solve international disputes which could lead to violence following the Sept. 11 attacks and that Turkey can make use this opportunity on Cyprus. He also believes that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's stance staking everything and abandoning the aim of EU membership if necessary is a mistaken one. 'Why should one be an obstacle to the other? If we are at a crossroads which would prove the Foreign Minister's concerns right, this should be discussed at the Parliament in a closed session.' Irtemcelik brings a series of proposals but he states that first of all that Parliament must review Turkey's relations with Cyprus and the EU as concerns its national interests."

THE ANATOMY OF TERRORISM BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Erol Manisali comments on terrorism and how and why it is fostered. A summary of his column is as follows: "If no one had fostered terrorists, there would be no terrorist activities. Those who use terrorism as a tool support it. The most important question is, who uses terrorism and what are their aims? The answer may be, small or great powers who would like to reach certain goals. The controversy lies in this statement. For the great powers terrorism is the last chain in the fight for superiority. As there are 'dirty jobs' in this chain, they would like to hold the fire with tongs. For the small powers, terrorism is the leap and scratches of a cat left in a corner. Every small power is supported by the great powers. The dispute in divvying up the world can be seen even in this issue. For 11 years, Saddam has been labeled a terrorist by the US and its supporters. Before the Gulf crisis, Britain and US were the powers encouraging Baghdad to attack Iran. The US and the other great powers have used Saddam as a tool in the fight for superiority amongst themselves. Bin Laden was also created by the US. At first, he served the US but then he was excluded. The PKK terrorist organization is supported by European states to a great extent. The recent news says that Europe does not accept that the PKK is a terrorist organization. Many countries support it. The PKK camp in Greece stays put despite all the calls for friendship. A resolution which could constitute a basis for Armenian terrorism was passed by the EU Parliament last year through the unceasing efforts of the Greeks. The question is whether the EU still supports terrorism or not. No one can deny that it doesn't. Thus, the EU countries are also using terrorism as a tool for their own interests. They ignored the activities of ASALA even while Turkish diplomats were being murdered. Therefore, if we say that terrorism is a tool still used by great powers to protect their own interests, we won't be mistaken. Only five or six months ago there was no one supporting the Taleban as the world saw what it did in Afghanistan. Today, as the Afghan people seem to be the underdogs in the fight against the Taleban to capture Laden, people worldwide have begun to believe far-fetched stories."