Selections From Todays Turkish Press

In the scope of the IDEF Defense Industry Fair, a symposium entitled, " Political, Technological, Strategic Developments in the World and Their Effects to Turkey" was held in Ankara. Addressing the meeting, Second Chief of the General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit qualified terrorism as the plague of the age. He said, "Those who welcome it with open arms are bound to get this disease sooner or later." Stressing Turkey has not been supported by European and neighbouring countries during her fight against terrorism, he said, "Certain countries did not support Turkey, they even protected the chief of the terrorist organization and trained terrorists. The high topics such as human rights and superiority of law were used as a shield to protect these enemies of humanity." /Turkiye/

FULFORD IN ANKARA

Paying a visit to Ankara to attend a symposium, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the US Forces in Europe General Carlton Fulford met with Second Chief of the General Staff Yasar Buyukanit. Responding to a question posed by a correspondent during the symposium the theme of which is "Political, Technological, Strategic Developments in the World and Their Effects to Turkey", Fulford said that talks on using the military facilities in Turkey were still continuing regarding a US retaliatory attack to Afghanistan. He said, "Turkey has significant experiences on how to fight against terrorism. We have lessons to learn from Turkey. We attach great importance to Turkey's point of view and experiences." Voicing his satisfaction with Turkey's lending her full support to the US, Fulford, said, "it would be wrong to comment on whether Turkey will send her soldiers to the struggles or not if we take into the consideration the fact that the targets and limits of the retaliation have not been determined yet." Recalling M. Kemal Ataturk's statement emphasizing the necessity to form an international cooperation against a war erupting anywhere in the world, Lunford said, "We believe that Turkey will be one of our best friends in our fight against terrorism." /Cumhuriyet/

PEARSON PRAISES TURKEY

The US Ambassador to Turkey, Robert Pearson said that Turkey would play a leading role in the cooperation against international terrorism. Pearson said, "Turkey will overcome all the economic and political problems and become a partner in the Western World." Delivering a speech at the "Political, Strategic and Technological Developments in the World and Their Impacts on Turkey" Symposium in Ankara, Pearson conveyed the US promise in lending her full support to Turkey for economic and political reforms. He said, "Turkey is a secular state. Our enemy is not Islam as a religion but the ones who exploited Islam for their own interests. What we fight against is terrorism." /Cumhuriyet/

CEM IN WASHINGTON

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem arrived in Washington yesterday night to convey Turkey's views on the recent terrorist attacks in the US. Voicing its satisfaction over Turkey's support to the US, the American Administration is expected to request Turkey to continue her support in all areas in such an important period during which a new world order is being formed against international terrorism. Cem is expected to meet with US President George W. Bush. He will meet with his American counterpart Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice today. /Hurriyet/

BELGIUM: PKK IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

Reportedly, the inquiry process which has lasted for five years for the PKK's illegal activities in Belgium is completed. The trial of the terrorist organization and its 17 supporters will begin soon in Brussels. Judge Jeroen Burm has been investigating PKK's finance sources and its activities in Belgium and other European countries. On the other hand, a Belgian daily, La Derniere Heure, pointed out in its yesterday issue that the PKK was a terrorist organization operating not only against Turkey's benefits. It said,"The Belgian prosecutor is doing what other countries could not dare to do." /Turkiye/

TURKISH-ARMENIAN RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ENDS WITH STATEMENT ON COMMON HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

A statement issued with little fanfare at the end of the Turkish-American Reconciliation Commission meeting in Istanbul on Sept.23-25 spells out the political will on both sides to continue with efforts for reconciliation, despite opposition from radical groups, particularly on the Armenian side. The revelation a few month ago that such a commission had been established, had fallen like a bombshell among Armenian communities in Europe and North America, as well as in Armenia itself. Ultranationalist groups such as the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), known popularly as the "Dashnaks," had come out with strong statements opposing this commission and all but calling its Armenian members "traitors." Members of the commission, who include a former Turkish foreign minister, a retired general and Armenians closely associated with the Yerevan administration, as well as leading Armenian community members in the United States recalled in their statement that their meeting had been convened soon after the terrorist attacks against the United States. "We feel shock and deep regret. We discussed the impact of these tragic events on world affairs and, in this light, re-affirmed our resolve to work together in order to enhance mutual understanding, overcome differences and encourage cooperation," the statement said, and went on to list what was discussed at the Istanbul meeting in the following manner: TARC:

* Reviewed event ensuing after TARC's establishment in Geneva (July 8, 2001).

* Assessed progress to date.

* Agreed on future strategies for maximizing the goal for reconciliation.

* Welcomed continuing discussions with additional interlocutors and experts having a variety of views.

* Evaluated media reaction to TARC in Armenia, Turkey and worldwide.

* Acknowledged that some statements attributed to TARC members had created misunderstandings, which are now being overcome.

* Adopted "Principles for Constructive Media Interaction"

* Participated in "external" meetings with Turkish civil society to gauge attitudes, issues, obstacles and recommendations.

* Met with (a) intellectuals, (b) academics, (c) researchers, (d) media, (e) business people, and (f) cultural experts representing a range of attitudes towards reconciliation.

* Discussed mutual perceptions and expectations of Armenians and Turks.

* Reaffirmed TARC's role in identifying activities and catalyzing projects by reputable NGO's.

* Conducted "internal" discussions regarding TARC affairs.

* Noted that the number of Armenian members of TARC will increase.

* Finalized arrangements for the next meeting in New York (Now. 18-21, 2001)

* Discussed an agenda for the next meeting.

* Agreed to invite the International center for Transitional Justice to organize a "Seminar on Legal Issues" (including international models for reconciliation).

* Explored the activities of a "Working Group on Psychological Issues" regarding reconciliation.

* Discussed developing policy recommendations.

* Agreed to establish a TARC secretariat and a TARC web site. /Turkish News/

HIGH PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING

The High Planning Council (YPK) will hold a meeting today to discuss program targets and budget for 2002. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has brought the issue of minimization of the state into the agenda of YPK meeting. State Minister Kemal Dervis is expected to make a presentation on the recent developments concerning the economic program during the YPK meeting. /Milliyet/

TURKISH UNIT COMPLETES ITS DUTY IN HARVEST OPERATION

NATO's operation for collecting arms from Macedonian rebels entitled, Harvest Operation, carried out in Macedonia was completed. The new operation, following it, is called "Red Fox." NATO Secretary General George Robertson met with representatives of the units participated in the operation including Turkey in Tetova yesterday. Robertson congratulated Turkish unit for its dicipline and success during the operation. /Turkiye/

GUREL: "WE WILL LEND OUR FULL SUPPORT TO THE US"

Minister of State Sukru Sina Gurel said that the Turkish government would lend its full support to the fight against terrorism. Expressing his grief for innocent people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the US, Gurel said, "We have lost thousands of people in our fight against terrorism and felt the grief in our very heart. Now, we expect that the others would understand what we have gone through for years." /Sabah/

MESSAGES ON THE OCCASION OF LANGUAGE DAY

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Parliamentary Speaker Omer Izgi issued messages on the occasion of Language Day. Emphasizing the importance of language as one of the most important corner stones for a society, leaders said that Turkish should be protected against degeneration and the invasion of foreign words and be improved. /Cumhuriyet/

YILMAZ: PILGRIMAGE MAY BE CANCELLED

Director of the Religious Affairs Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz said following the terrorist attack on the US in the case of a war, the pilgrimage to Mecca may be cancelled this year. Yilmaz attended the closing session of the "Turkey and Central Asia Regional Pilgrimage Training Conference held in Istanbul. Talking to reporters Yilmaz said, "We hope the issues can be solved with diplomacy. However, in the event of war, this year the pilgrimage can be cancelled, as human life is above everything." /Turkiye/

PISKINSUT RESIGNS FROM DSP

Democratic Left Party (DSP) Aydin Deputy Sema Piskinsut resigned from her party yesterday. Critizing Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his government, Piskinsut gave signs that she was planning to establish her own political party. With her resignation, the number of DSP deputies in Parliament has dropped to 131. /All Papers/

BOZKURT JOINS THE DYP

Independent Adiyaman Deputy Mahmut Bozkurt, who was formerly a Motherland Party (ANAP) Adiyaman deputy, joined the True Path Party (DYP) yesterday. With his participation the number of DYP deputies has reached 80. /Turkish News/

WORLD BANK'S SUPPORT FOR THE POOR

Minister of State Hasan Gemici announced that The World Bank would grant fuel oil amounting TL 40 trillion to 400,000 families within the framework of the "Reducing Social Risk Project." Gemici said the grant would be delivered to poor families via the foundations of Social Cooperation and Solidarity. /Hurriyet/

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE COORPERATION: WE INVESTED 3 BILLION DOLLAR IN TURKEY

The International Finance Coorperation, Turkey Country Manager Sujata Lamba said "We are continuing to view Turkey in an optimistic light". He said "We try to attract investors. We made a an investment of $40 million." and pointed out that they provide long run credits up to 15 years. /Sabah/

IDEF-2001 TO BE OPENED TODAY

Turkey's four-day long International Defence Industry, Aviation and Maritime Fair (IDEF-2001) will open today under the shadow of the catastrophic terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on Sep. 11. The fair will host 32 countries with 252 delegations as well as hundreds of defence companies presenting their products on the fair ground. /Turkish Daily News/

TURKISH FILMS IN NEW YORK

The third annual New York Turkish Films Festival, organized by the Moon and Star Project and supported by the American Turkish Society, will be held on Oct. 19-28 in New York. The festival will feature 17 Turkish films, documentaries, short films, as well as panel discussions. /Turkish News/

FAZIL SAY'S SUCCESS

Famous Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say was announced to receive "ECHO 2001" Award by Deutche Phono Academie. He will receive the award in a ceremony to be held in Hamburg on September 30th. /Cumhuriyet/

EVERYWHERE IS RED

After the Americans, Germans praised the book 'My Name Is Red' written by Orhan Pamuk. In the supplement of one of the most important newspapers in the United States "The New York Times" gave wide coverage to Pamuk's book. A supplement of Suddeutsche Zeitung, one of the prestigous newspapers of Germany, introduced the same book and praisen it. /Sabah/

WILL EU STANCE CHANGE? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the recent attacks and their potential consequences.A summary of his column is as follows: "In the speeches delivered in Ankara following the terrorist attacks on the US, it was stated that Turkey's importance had grown in the eyes of the world and this would positively affect the relations with the EU. It is true that the importance of Turkey's geo-strategic location and the role she can play under these new circumstances have increased significantly. However, it would be highly optimistic to suggest that the view of the Europeans towards Turkey will change . The predominant view in Brussels, the capital of the EU, is that Turkey's integration should not be connected to the terrorism issue as encountered today. The opinion of an EU diplomat who knows Turkey closely should make us pause and think. "There can be no change in the EU criteria for membership. Therefore, it should not be expected that the recent incidents will lead to the accelaration of Turkey's EU membership. The determining factor on the issue will be the enacting of the amendments to the Constitution and accepting reforms as soon as possible, and implementing the National Programme." Another EU official stated that Turkey's geo-strategic location has achieved an importance in the political evaluation of the US, but it would not be considered as important by the EU. However, the EU is aware of the increased significance of democratic, secular and modern Turkey under these circumstances and hopes that she will set an example for other Islamic countries. It may be thought that the European Army (European Security and Defence Policy) project may lean more towards Turkey's favor in the wake of the the recent incidents. However it is apparent that the issue is deadlocked. The differences of opinion between Turkey and the EU are not eradicated and the EU is determined to carry out this project at the beginning of the new year. In a joint NATO-EU meeting the Turkish side reiterated its views and stressing the integrity of security stated that the recent incidents should change the old concepts in the EU. However, the speeches of the EU representatives displayed that there was no such change. Turkish officials , in their recent statements complained of the lax and even encouraging stances of Europeans on terrorism and expressed their hope that the European allies would be more understanding and sensitive towards the activities taking place in their countries against Turkey. The US officials noted that a more effective dialogue could be started with Turkey on combatting terrorism and Turkey could more actively contribute to the issue. An EU diplomat said, "Such a cooperation could provide a new opportunity for Turkish-EU rapprochement."