Ecevit: Visit To United States Is Extremely Positive

WASHINGTON D.C., Jan 17 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that U.S. President George W. Bush, in person, excluded Turkey from regions risky for tourism.
Ecevit, who is currently in the United States, held a press conference to address the Turkish journalists. State Ministers Kemal Dervis and Tunca Toskay, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan were also in attendance at the press conference.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey had become a world country which was interested in all global problems.
Ecevit called on the U.S. businessmen to invest in Turkey and said, ''from now on, the businessmen who want to make investments in Turkey will knock on only one door and take the final result within three months.''
His visit to the United States was extremely positive, Ecevit said and continued, ''until recent years, Turkey had held bilateral contacts regarding foreign relations. It used to establish relations with direct interlocutors of the issues directly concerning itself. But, this has changed. Turkey's position has changed. Turkey is now interested in all global problems. During our contacts in Washington, all the world from the Central Asia to Middle East, from Far East to the European Union (EU), from Bosnia and Caucasus to Afghanistan were on the agenda. This indicates that Turkey has become a world country.''
Ecevit stated that Turkish-U.S. relations had exceeded alliance relations and gained a partnership status.
''This partnership is based on politics and security. We stressed that the economic partnership point of this strategic partnership was weak. Our U.S. friends shared this observation of us during our bilateral contacts. They have launched significant initiatives to add economic dimension to our strategic relations to overcome this deficiency. A statement was issued regarding this issue in the United States yesterday,'' Ecevit said.
Ecevit went on saying, ''this statement said that the U.S. State Department was pleased to announce that a high-level deelgation headed by Alan Larson, the U.S. State Department official for economic affairs, would attend the first meeting of the economic partnership commission meeting to be held in Ankara between February 26 and 27. The statement noted that United States and Turkey had been in close strategic partnership for a long time and said that the two countries agreed to promote their economic partnership to the same level. The statement said that an economic partnership commission meeting would be held to this end and pointed out that this new forum would help improvement of economic and international trade relations, increase in investments, and implementation of economic reform program of Turkey successfully.''
''Thus, all factors of our strategic partnership with the United States have been fulfilled with all its dimensions in a balanced way. In this case, our economic relations with the United States will gain momentum starting from the end of February. Meanwhile, it has become certain that some possibilities could be provided. As you know, there is an industrial zones agreement between Jordan and Israel directed towards the United States. This provides significant opportunities for these countries in their exportation to the united States. We have stated that establishment of such industrial zones were of utmost importance for Turkey in our meetings. Our U.S. friends welcomed this and noted that they would launch initiatives in this direction,'' Ecevit said.
Ecevit noted that the United States had listed Turkey among countries risky and jeopardous for tourism and said, ''although tourism has developed so much in Turkey, the number of U.S. tourists visiting Turkey has not been sufficent. We said that this was not right. U.S. President, in person, excluded Turkey from the risky countries category during our meeting yesterday.''
''From now on, we will have the opportunity to see more U.S. friends in our country. This is very important because tourism provides good opportunities for the meeting of people beyond the meeting of the governments. To this end, improvement of our relations with the United States in the field of tourism will have utmost importance,'' Ecevit noted.
Ecevit stated that they wanted the United States to make more economic investments in Turkey and pointed out that the U.S. officials sincerely shared that view.
The U.S. officials complained about the bureaucratic hurdles before the investors, Ecevit said and noted that the investors had to knock on 40 doors to invest in Turkey.
Ecevit continued, ''they had to wait for two years to get a response. We have put an end to this situation with a law issued a few days ago. From now on, not only Turkish but also foreign businessmen who want to make investments in Turkey will not knock on 40 doors, but only one door. They will take the final result within three months. We have started to announce this to all world. We have published the announcements in the newspapers like World Street Journal, Financial Times and some European newspapers.''
The United States was not contented with only attributing importance to economic relations between Turkey and the United States, but also supported Turkey's economic program backed by IMF and World Bank, Ecevit said.
Ecevit noted that the United States was very uneasy about the conflicts and clashes among the religions and cultures following the September 11th tragedy.
''We have shared that uneasiness for a long time. Our U.S. friends also stress that Turkey is among the example countries which can overcome the conflicts and clashes among the religions and cultures. They stress the importance of Turkey in the world and its responsibilities,'' Ecevit said.

ECEVIT: ''IT IS SEEN THAT AN OPERATION ON IRAQ IS OUT OF QUESTION AT THE MOMENT''
Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''U.S. President George Bush assured us. He stressed for a few times that they would establish a dialogue with Turkey if a step regarding Iraq was to be taken.''
Asked about the timing of a probable operation on Iraq and if he obviously expressed Turkey's sensitivities, Ecevit said, ''President Bush touched on this issue during our meeting yesterday. Bush had obviously expressed his views. He obviously stated that they could not establish a relationship or cooperation with Saddam Hussein. But, he did not say anything about an operation on Iraq and he did not mention any intention at this stage. Thus, he definitely expressed his sensitivity once more. But, it is seen that an operation on Iraq is out of question at the moment. Bush assured us that a dialogue would be established with Turkey if a step regarding Iraq is to be taken.''
When asked what Turkey's position would be in such an operation, Ecevit said, ''I cannot talk on hypothesis regarding such sensitive issues. I will not say anything which will give the impression that an intervention is inevitable and what kind of a stance we will assume towards that unavoidable operation. I think that it will not be right to detail this issue.''
Responding to a question if the United States had any disturbance about Turkey's Iraq policy, Ecevit said, ''no. The United States does not have any disturbance. Iraq is our neighbour. It is a natural thing to have relations in every field with a neighbouring country. Our relations with Iraq continue as the other neighbouring countries. Any of the countries cannot show a reaction to Turkey regarding this issue. Such a reaction has not been shown by the United States to Turkey even indirectly. We agree with the sensitivity of the United States about armament of Iraq. We permit the use of Incirlik and Turkey's territories within the framework of the measures taken to prevent this. Let's not bring into the agenda this issue when this issue is not brought to the agenda during our yesterday's and the previous day's contacts except Bush's reiterating his well-known views.''

ECEVIT: ''I HOPE GREECE WILL NOT INSIST ON ITS OBJECTIONS REGARDING ESDP''
Asked if he received any signal which would help implementation of compromise reached on ESDP, Ecevit said, ''no, we did not talk about this issue so much. I touched on this issue once or twice during our contacts. You know the reason. The United States mediated the talks on this issue between Britain and Turkey. And, it had made significant contributions. I expressed our gratitude to the United States.''
Ecevit noted, ''we were stressing on especially that there should not be any stance, concrete attitude and behaviour against Turkey in any operation to be made by the European army with its own sources. Greece's opposing to this is very surprizing. This unwillingly brings into minds the suspicion if Greece has in mind a tendency of an operation towards Turkey. I believe that Greece does not have such a thought. But, this impression can occur. To this end, I hope Greece will not insist on its objection.''

ECEVIT: UNITED STATES HAS IMPORTANT IMPACT ON ASSISTANCE OF TURKEY
Asked if Turkey received cash money at the end of his contacts, Ecevit said, ''the United States had important impact on the assistance made by IMF and World Bank to Turkey last year. The IMF and World Bank committed to assist Turkey with great deal of money. The share of the United States in this assistance cannot be ignored. Even if this is not obviously stated, this is a well-known reality.''
Ecevit continued, ''of course, commercial and economic issues cannot be solved by bringing them into the agenda during a visit. However, the United States has brought into the agenda a reliable mechanism to solve them. It has brought forth a different model which is not related with the commission meetings held so far. And, it has become definite that dialogue will be made and negotiations will be held among high-level officials of Turkey and the United States under a partnership understanding. Of course, the most sensitive issues in respect of trade and economy will be brought to the agenda during the negotiation process. The date has already been set. An efficient and authorized official of the United States Mr. Larson will represent his country in the meeting scheduled for the end of February. That is, the United States has taken this issue seriously.''
''It is not possible to expect anything more at this stage. But, as I have said, the United States expressed its clear intention related with the organized industry zones. I think that shedding light to tourism is very important. However, it is not possible to solve the problems in such two-three day meetings. It is possible to bring them into the agenda and to express intention. These have been made. But, as you know, cash payment has not been seen in such meetings so far,'' Ecevit added.

ECEVIT: NO PRECONDITIONS ARE PUT FORTH REGARDING CYPRUS
Asked how Cyprus question came to the agenda during his contacts, Ecevit said that they touched on this issue during his meeting with U.S. President George Bush.
Ecevit noted that they expressed their pleasure with the dialogue process launched by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides.
''We noted that some positive results can be gained during this process although it cannot be obtained immediately,'' Ecevit added.
Asked if the postponement of military debts was brought to the agenda, Ecevit said, ''we expressed our wish. I am sure that this issue will be discussed priorily at the meeting to be held at the end of February.''
When asked if he had gained what he had hoped from his visit to the United States, Ecevit said, ''I have continuously stressed that we should be cautious when expressing our expectations. However, the public wants the improvement of our commercial and economic relations with the United States. I have stressed that some concrete results could not be gained immediately.''
Asked how much Turkey was ready for a model role in Islam countries, Ecevit said, ''we do not have to do anything. We have to introduce our own model to the world. We have taken a significant distance in this issue. Especially, it has naturally been seen how much importance Turkey's regime is for both Islam world and the west-east relations following the September 11th relations. It has been seen that, the Turkey model has showed that Islam can coincide with Islamic democracy, modernization, and even with secularism if wanted. Turkey has proved these. Now, many Islam countries, although not all of them, is following this model of Turkey with interest and they have started to consider this as a source of inspiration.''

ECEVIT: SIGNING OF ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH U.S. IS VERY IMPORTANT
When asked whether or not corruption and extravagance in Turkey had been discussed during his contacts, Ecevit said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) received rightful or unjust criticisms from some countries while the IMF had some complaints about some countries.
''During our talks, it was understood that there is consensus that Turkey uses the monetary facilities it obtains from the IMF in a very careful and responsible way. There was not any criticism against us. Even the government's attitude toward this matter was praised. As far as I remember that the IMF Managing Director said 'everything is on track. It may be a long marathon and actually, it should be.' and I said 'we do know to run the marathon fast'. This is clearly seen at the Parliament. By working day and night, the Parliament is trying to fulfil the IMF's expectations which we consider right. This is a rare situation in the world. According to some foreign observers, this is an example which has not been seen so far,'' Ecevit said.
When asked whether or not any progress had been recorded about the Turks who had been detained after the terrorist attacks on September 11, Ecevit said that the U.S. Acting Secretary of Interior had said that they would do their best in addition to legal opportunities for release of those Turks.
When asked about the aim of presenting a Koran as a gift to U.S. President George W. Bush, Ecevit said that the operation in Afghanistan was considered an operation against Islam by some circles so U.S. President Bush had stressed for many times that the operation did not and could not target Islam.
''As a contribution to President Bush's statement, we considered it appropriate to present a Koran to him as a gift. Also the Head of Religious Affairs joined this visit and he held beneficial meetings,'' Ecevit added.
Asked if there had been a concrete development related with textile quotas, Ecevit said that he knew that textile issue was not an issue which could be easily and immediately solved.
Ecevit noted, ''the board which will make its first meeting at the end of February will of course handle such issues, including textile.''
Asked to grade his visit to the United States over 10, Ecevit said, ''I have found my visit very satisfying. It is a very important incident that an economic partnership agreement has been added to our partnership agreement with the United States, which is related with politics and military. This is an event which deserves 10.''
When asked if the draft resolutions on so-called Armenian genocide which was brought forth from time to time in the U.S. Congress came to the agenda at his meeting with Bush, Ecevit said that this issue did not come to the agenda at their meeting.