Selections From Todays Turkish Press

Vatican's Ambassador to Turkey, Luigi Conti, paid a farewell visit to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer as his duty in Ankara comes to an end. /Turkish Daily News/

REFERENDUM FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS' SALARIES

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer decided to go to a referendum on the article which foresees amendment on the deputies' personnel rights and salaries of the 34-article Constitutional amendment package. Sezer approved other amendments and sent them to the Office of Prime Minister to be issued in the Official Gazette. /All Papers/

BAYKAL TO MEET SEZER

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal will meet President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today. According to the statement released by CHP, Baykal will mention his opinion concerning the "Constitutional Amendments Package" to Sezer during the meeting to be held at 14:00. /Sabah/

ECEVIT'S STATEMENT

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said he regretted the fact that civilians were harmed due to the American operation against Afghanistan. He further stated that there is not any news from the liaison officers in Florida. While leaving a television program, Ecevit answered the questions of journalists. He evaluated the operation and considered the operation to be unsuccessful due to the fact that Bin Laden could not have been captured. He added, "It is too hard to be successful without a land operation in a country like Afghanistan because it is a very poor country and it does not have important facilities. Similarly, during the era of the Soviet Union, Russians stayed in Afghanistan for many years but they could not be successful." Ecevit also pointed out the importance of the removal of Taleban regime and added that this regime had threatened all the Central Asian countries and affected the processes of democratization. /Hurriyet/

CEM RECEIVES KOSOVAR POLITICIAN HASHIM TACHI

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem received Hashim Tachi, the head of Kosovo Democratic Party, who is having meetings in Ankara. "Kosovo is the homeland of the people whom we have always considered to be like us," Cem said, just before the meeting. Stating that they had been following Tachi's efforts for the reformation of Kosovo with great respect, Cem said that as the elections in Kosovo are getting closer they are praising Tachi's contributions to bring Albanians and Turks in Kosovo closer together. Tachi thanked Cem for the support and interest he has shown, and added that Turkey had helped them to overcome their difficulties. Tachi said that in Kosovo's reformation process, all of the ethnic groups in the country would participate in the administration equally. "We are not putting any preconditions on the minority groups," Tachi said. /Turkish Daily News/

CEM TO VISIT CENTRAL ASIA

Turkey will convey her support to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan which were threatened by the Taleban Administration since they supported the US retaliation against Afghanistan. Minister of Foreign Affairs will visit Ashkabat and Tashkent between October 21-23 to evaluate the recent developments and the repercussions of the "Enduring Freedom" on these countries. It was stated that Turkey wanted to locate the Turkish military training units in Uzbekistan and that this issue would be discussed during Cem's visit. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY PREPARES TERROR FILE

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem will travel to Brussels to attend a meeting on terrorism. During the meeting to be held on Oct. 18-19, Cem will inform his European counterparts about terrorist PKK and other illegal leftist and radical organizations' activities in Turkey and abroad. /Turkiye/

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO CONVENE

The Council of Ministers to be presided over by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will convene today at 2:00 p.m. Before the meeting, the leaders of the coalition parties will gather at 11:00 a.m. at the Office of Prime Ministry. /Turkiye/

TRIPLE SECURITY ALLIANCE IN THE CAUCASUS

According to the agreement signed by the US, Turkey and Georgia, the three countries will launch an initiative to strengthen their cooperation on combating terrorism and sustaining stability in the Caucasus. Within this framework, Turkey and the US will increase the military aid they provide for Georgia. Stating that Turkey had contributed a lot to the stability and security in Georgia so far, Georgian officials said that improving this cooperation was much more important taking the new circumstances in the region into consideration. /Cumhuriyet/

YILMAZ: "OPERATION CAN SPREAD TO IRAQ"

Deputy Prime Minster Mesut Yilmaz said that there was the risk that the US-led military operation in Afghanistan could spread to Iraq. "We do not expect this, but the possibility does exist," said Yilmaz, and added, "We will do our best to prevent this from happening." Yilmaz, speaking to reporters in the headquarters of his party, the Motherland Party (ANAP) in Ankara, said that the government would again do its best to ensure that Turkey will not be harmed in the event of the operation spilling over into Iraq. /Turkish News/

YILMAZ INFORMS EU OFFICIALS

Turkey informed EU officials on the steps Turkey took so far in implementing the National Programme. Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz met with the Ambassadors of EU countries and EU Commission Turkey Representative Karen Fogg yesterday. Presenting two information notes to Ambassadors, Yilmaz conveyed the message that since Turkey took a significant step regarding adjustment with the EU acquis by approving constitutional amendments, EU should provide Turkey with financial support for the implementation of the reforms as soon as possible. The notes informed the Ambassadors on the connection between constitutional amendments and the National Programme and also the adjustment laws which are thought to be enacted. Stating Turkey was doing her utmost in her accession period to the EU, Yilmaz said he hoped the Progress Report to be prepared by EU Commission would agree with him. Pointing out that Turkey carried out many reforms in a very short period of time, Yilmaz requested the EU to assist Turkey financially. He added the EU should provide Turkey with the same amount it grants to the other candidate countries. /Cumhuriyet/

MINISTER PLEDGES RESOLUTION IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORIST ACTIVITIES

Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said terrorist group attacks in rural areas or city centers would not discourage the police in their fight against terrorism. "No one should ever doubt State's resolution in the fight against terrorism," he said. Speaking at a funeral ceremony held for two police officers who died in a Sunday attack by unknown assailants, Yucelen said efforts to make the State give up its fight against terrorism would be in vain. "The integrity and unity of the state will continue to be maintained today, as in the past," he said. /Turkish News/

ISLAMIC COUNTRIES KNOW LITTLE ABOUT CYPRUS ISSUE

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, said Monday that Islamic countries did not know much about the facts in Cyprus, and that an enlightening campaign for Islamic countries had to be initiated. Reiterating his call to the Greek side to get together at an international forum to discuss the Cyprus issue, Denktas said that the Greek side had to stop claiming rights over the Turkish side before they could reach an agreement on a lasting solution. He said, "We don't think that the Islamic countries know much about what has happened in Cyprus. They know either little or nothing about the realities of this island. We therefore assume that there are very few Islamic countries which actually are aware of the fact that the TRNC is against terrorism, and so strongly believe that it is necessary for us to launch an enlightenment campaign targeting Islamic countries, to let them know about the realities on the island." /Turkish News/

KUANGYI: WE HOPE THE WAR ENDS SOON

Chinese Ambassador in Ankara Yao Kuangyi said yesterday, referring to the US operation in Afghanistan, that the fight against terrorism would not remain limited to one country, since it has become an issue of international concern. Kuangyi was hosted by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) in an informal meeting. In the speech he delivered, Kuangyi dwelt on the economic relations between Turkey and China, and said that the trade volume between Turkey and China was about $1.2 billion, but that the foreign trade balances were to Turkey's disadvantage. He said that one way of bettering the situation could be increasing Turkey's hazelnut, construction material, and automotive products exports to China. Regarding the issue of Varyag, Kuangyi said that Turkish and Chinese experts working on it were about to complete their studies. /Turkish News/

GENDARMERIE COMMANDER URGES GLOBAL COOPERATION TO FIGHT TERRORISM

Gendarmerie Forces Commander Gen. Aytac Yalman said that technological developments provided terrorist groups with unprecedented means and capacities, which in turn urges states to have more comprehensive cooperation among each other. Speaking at a meeting of representatives from Gendarmerie organizations of European and Mediterranean countries in Istanbul, Yalman said that the classical military threat of the Cold War era was replaced with brand new threats starting from the 1990s. Coping with these new risks requires international cooperation. Fighting against these criminal elements would be possible not through regional but through global cooperation," he said. /Turkish News/

PRIMAKOV COMES TO ANKARA

Russia's former Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov is coming to Ankara today. According to the Foreign Ministry officials, Primakov will attend the AGM of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in Istanbul but then come to Ankara to meet with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Meanwhile, Cem will reportedly have breakfast today with representatives of the Central Asian republics. /Turkish Daily News/

PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE 2002 BUDGET

The 2002 Fiscal Year Budget will be presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) by 24:00 o'clock tomorrow. The Budget Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament Plan and Budget Commission in November and taken up at the Plenary Session in Parliament in December. /Turkiye/

DURMUS: ANTHRAX NOT A DANGER

Minister of Health Osman Durmus said that Turkey's industry is ready for a biological or nuclear weapons attack, and anthrax is not a danger for Turkey. Following the 2001-2002 academic year opening ceremony at Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Durmus told journalists that there is nothing to worry about anthrax in Turkey. /Turkiye/

ALI ER RESIGNS FROM ANAP

Motherland Party (ANAP) Deputy from Icel, Ali Er resigned from his party yesterday. Following the resignation, the number of ANAP deputies in the Parliament dropped to 81 while independents reached to 22. Regarding the topic, ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz said, "We cannot solve our friends personal issues, the resignation has not surprised us." /Turkiye/

PETROLEUM COMMISSION

The possibility that the "Enduring Freedom" operation that is carried out by the USA against Afghanistan will spread to Iraq and that Turkey will suffer from lack of petroleum alarmed the Turkish government. In the circular signed by the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, it was stated that by the time the Petroleum Draft Law is enacted, the petroleum stock needed by Turkey will be determined by the "petroleum stock administration temporary commission". /Milliyet/

KAZAKH WIND IN ANKARA

A ceremony, marking the 10th Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the 3rd year of Astana being the capital city, was held in Ankara yesterday. Ankara Mayor of Greater City, Melih Gokcek, Governor of Astana Adilbek Djaksybekov and bureaucrats, as well as businessmen from both countries attended the ceremony. /Turkiye/

DERVIS HOLDS MEETINGS

The "Istanbul Approach" which gathers together the manufacturing industry and the banking system, will be complemented by the end of October. As the preparations concerning the inclusion of the public and fund banks into the system began, Minister of State responsible for economy, Kemal Dervis met with the Finance and Production Advisory Council yesterday morning and with the bankers in yesterday afternoon. Following these meetings, Dervis made an explanation to the press and said, "We will complete this approach until the end of this month." /Sabah/

A NEW ADJUSTMENT TO THE EU PROGRAMME FOR KOBIs

A new programme is being prepared for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (KOBIs)' adjustment to the EU. The program, which is prepared jointly by the US Tong Bert Group and its strategic partner in Turkey, Partnec, will develop solutions to assist KOBIs in Turkey to overcome the economic crisis. Stating that KOBIs had to adjust with the EU laws and advanced technologies, one of the Partnec strategists, Ozgur Cakir said, the program aimed at conveying the foreign e-business experience to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

GARANTI BANK AND OSMANLI UNITE

The Italian Intesa BCI group, which was holding the meetings of partnership with Garanti Bank, stated, "In spite of everything, the meetings with Garanti Bank are continuing. However, this is not time to invest now." Meanwhile, according to the information received, Garanti Bank and Osmanlı Bank decided to merge. Garanti Bank is the biggest shareholder of Osmanlı Bank, which was previously united with Korfezbank. An explanation concerning the issue is expected to be made today. One of the administrators of Intesa BCI, Lino Benassi, released a statement in Milano yesterday and said, "This is not a proper time for further investments. However, our relations are good." /Sabah/

PAKER OPENS TURKISH HENKEL'S FACILITY IN TUZLA

Turkish Henkel's construction chemicals facility that amounted to 5 million euros, was opened to service during a ceremony held in Tuzla. During the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Executive Board of Turk Henkel, Can Paker, said the investment that is made in spite of the economic crisis is for the future of Turkey. He added, "We should display our optimism. The opening of the factory in this period is lifting the spirits of everyone. We had to revise our plans that we had made in the beginning of the investment due to the economic crisis and we envisage a period of four years for the return of the investment. 15% of the production to be made in Tuzla facility will be exported to the Turkish-speaking republics and the Middle Eastern countries and a possibility of war in this region is not important in the long run." /Milliyet/

DE KEERSMAECKER ON THE TURKISH ECONOMY

Member of the Executive Board of Henkel and the Responsible of the Construction Chemicals Production, Guido De Keersmaecker, said German Henkel put the Turkish Henkel into the A group and that Lebanon, Iran and the Turkish-speaking republics will be under Turkey's area of responsibility. He added, "We consider the investments in Turkey in the long-run. It has a population of 65 million and geopolitical importance. It is probable that Turkey will be closer to Europe in the future years. Therefore we constructed this facility." /Milliyet/

THY WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

The International Aviation Federation (FAI) is to award Turkish Airlines (THY) after it hosted the World Aerobatics Championships. The award will be given at the opening ceremony of the FAI general conference to be held at Lausanne on Wednesday October 17. /Turkish Daily News/

NUMBER OF FRENCH TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY INCREASES

A significant increase in the number of French tourists visiting Turkey has been observed this year. According to the data Turkish Tourism Consulate in Paris, the number of French tourists visiting Turkey reached 454,426 increasing by 24.90 % compared to same period last year, the first nine month of 2001. Additionally, 55,299 French tourists visited Turkey in September. /Cumhuriyet/

ON WHICH SIDE IS TURKEY? BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

Columnist Mustafa Balbay writes on the recent US operation against Afghanistan. A summary of his column is as follows: "We are on the tenth day of the operation against Afghanistan. There is no change in Turkey's stance since September 11. However, as the background is continually changing certain differences may be seen in Turkey's approach. Turkey's stance can be summarized as: 'Terrorism is a universal problem. It does not have a religion, faith, politics or geography. Everyone with a little bit of commonsense should oppose it. We stand by the US in her fight against terrorism.' This is a correct statement. However we have to ask, if the US is now only fighting against terrorism, or laying the foundations of the new world balances to be established in the 21st century? Apparently, the second statement seems to prevail. In this case, Turkey has to question her place in the new balances to be established. Circles who are certain to consider the national interests of Turkey may not want to share all the aspects of their opinions with the society. When we read between the lines of the statements made by officials, our policy seems to be thus: 'The US and Britain alliance has started the war. Let us take our place by their side. They will come out victorious and in the right. This will increase our importance. We have not been able to penetrate the Central Asian countries, could not influence them properly during the last ten years. The US will help in this respect too.' However, is that so? We have to stress the fact that it is impossible to succeed by depending upon the victory of another country. Even if it may seem to be so, you can lose what you have gained any moment. You willl be left only with your own achievements. The September 11 process has displayed once more that Turkey is the only country who is a member to both NATO and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). A negative aspect of this characteristic may be that the OIC may view us within the framework of NATO and perceive as the sub-contractor of the West and therefore exclude us. NATO may view Turkey as a country standing in awe of the OIC and say that the country has done what she can and that they do not need any more help from her. They too may exclude us. Thus, we will be left without getting into either side's good graces.We willl be left with the damages incurred on our economy all by ourself. Turkey will be suspended by both sides. The US may see Turkey as a support in waiting, and the Arab countries view Turkey as a country not around the table but one that is suspended. Certainly, the opposite may also come true. We may exert both powers in right places and be on the agenda of both sides. However, we have not been able to see an information which will support the second assumption. While thinking that she may take strides on the road to Central Asia with the US, Turkey also has to take Russia into account. In all of the Central Asian countries, the most crowded minortiy coming after the local population is Russian. All of them have Russian troops within their borders and Russians occupy the most critical posts. There are Russian ministers in most of the cabinets in these countries. If September 11 incident did not occur, Eurasia Cooperation Agreement would have been signed between Turkey and Russia at the end of September. According to the agreement, joint steps would be taken by both countries in the region. The Agreement is expected to be signed this month. It is clear that September 11 attack has influenced this will. The region Turkey is in, seems like a gun which has three or four barrels pointed to different directions, with only one trigger. When she decides to fire, aiming at a direction, she finds out that one of the barrels is turned against her."