SEZER, ECEVIT CALL FOR COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM
Addressing the OIC-EU Joint Forum yesterday, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that terrorism was the chief issue before humanity for it to wrestle and solve. He added, “To find a solution, a common definition of terrorism is needed and its social, political and economical dimensions must be clearly delineated.” He additionally pointed to the importance of a united international stance on the issue. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit also delivered a speech at the forum saying that disputes between ideologies and hatred between races have caused wars and holocausts. He said, “The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks showed that committing acts of terrorism is very easy and cheap, but precautions against such acts are very difficult and expensive. For this reason, an effective international cooperation is urgently needed.” Recalling claims by some that the tenets of Islam justified last September attacks, Ecevit said, “This is a great deception which is unsupportable and wholly unacceptable.” /Turkiye/
TERRORISM DISCUSSED AT OIC-EU JOINT FORUM
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union Joint Forum bringing together the Christian and Islamic worlds began yesterday in Istanbul. The historic meeting’s opening speech was delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Pointing to last September’s terrorist attacks on the US, Cem said that terrorism had no religion or region. “There is no excuse for terrorism,” he added. While Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Settar said that there was a greater need for peace today than at any time since World War II, his Iranian counterpart Kemal Harrazi underlined the importance of civilizations encountering each other at the forum to prevent conflicts between them. Additionally, EU Secretary-General and High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solona said, “The EU rejects any linkage between terrorism and Islam.” He also remarked on the importance of dialogue between civilizations. Another speaker, Palestinian Foreign Minister Faruk Kaddumi, claimed that the main reason for terrorism was the occupation of lands by certain countries. He said, “Palestine has been resisting such action. However, it needs the support of the whole international community.” /Turkiye-All Papers/
BAHCELI: “TURKEY IS NOT THE SICK MAN OF THE EAST”
In a speech at the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) group meeting yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli offered his evaluations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference-European Union (OIC-EU) Joint Forum and criticized the EU for pursuing unjust and biased policies concerning its relations with Turkey. Remarking that the forum was a historic opportunity for Turkey, Bahceli stressed the necessity for improving inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue. He criticized the EU for failing to develop just and impartial policies concerning its relations with Turkey. “Everybody should understand that Turkey will never stomach such mistaken policies,” said Bahceli. “The Turkish nation is not helpless, and Turkey is not the ‘sick man’ of the East.” In addition, Bahceli also praised the harmony the coalition government had achieved despite a significant divergence of opinions among some of its members. Underlining the necessity for a sound evaluation of Turkey’s EU adjustment laws, Bahceli commented on recent efforts to enact these laws, saying, “During this period both Turkey’s resolve for democratization and the consistency of Turkish politicians have been tested. I believe that we passed these tests.” /Cumhuriyet/
CEM, PAPANDREOU SPUR NEW DIALOGUE ON AEGEAN
Turkey and Greece have decided to start a new process of dialogue in order to work out their differences on the Aegean. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou met yesterday in Istanbul during the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union Joint Forum and resolved to discuss the Aegean and continental shelf issues at the level of general director. /Hürriyet/
SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER PRAISES TURKEY’S RECENT EFFORTS
In a press conference yesterday at the OIC-EU Joint Forum in Istanbul, EU Term President Spain’s Foreign Minister Josep Pique spoke to the domestic press about Turkey’s bid for EU membership, the Cyprus issue and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Praising Turkey’s resolve, Pique remarked that Turkey had taken significant steps with its recent political and economic reforms. Pique stated that Turkey had displayed the necessary determination to fulfill the EU’s political and economic criteria, adding that there was still a great deal to do in order to implement the reforms. Underlining the importance of structural reforms for the Turkish economy, Pique said that in the past Spain had also overcome its problems through implementing such reforms. /Cumhuriyet/
DERVIS: “A COUNTRY WHICH SPENDS ITS RESOURCES PROFLIGATELY WILL GO BANKRUPT”
Speaking to Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission yesterday, State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis said, “Any country which distributes its resources without regard for its limits will go bankrupt.” Dervis also said that states should evaluate the potential dangers in any situation before taking action. /Sabah/
GERMAN MINISTER FAVORS STATE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TO HELP INTEGRATE TURKS
Northern German Rhine-Westphalia Minister for Education, Science and Research Gabriel Behler, who is currently in Ankara for an official visit, yesterday said that he did not give credence to the so-called “clash of civilizations” theory that grabbed headlines following last September’s terrorist attacks. “People say that this conflict is between Christianity and Islam,” Behler said. “I think that’s mistaken.” Following his contacts in Ankara, Behler told Turkish daily Milliyet that Turkish people living in Germany placed a special importance on religious education and added, “The Sept. 11 attacks lent Turks’ integration into German society a special emphasis once again. An important element of this integration is giving religious education to our Turks at state-run schools. The responsibility for religious education should not be left to private communities or groups. Instead, it should be given under the umbrella of the state and within a constitutional framework.” /Milliyet/
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN OFFICE IN TURKEY
Prominent human rights group Amnesty International will soon open a branch office in Turkey. A decree on the issue has been presented for President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s approval. “This is a very important development for Turkey’s bid for full EU membership,” said State Minister for Human Rights Nejat Arseven yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/
TURKEY, GREECE HOLD ECONOMIC MEETINGS
The first meetings of the Turkish-Greek Joint Economic Council (KEK) are currently being held in Athens. The Turkish delegation attending the meeting is chaired by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen and the Greek delegation by Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos. The meetings are being seen as a demonstration of both countries’ good will and resolve for further rapprochement. /Cumhuriyet/
CHOMSKY ATTENDS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
Famed US intellectual Noam Chomsky arrived in Istanbul yesterday for a conference at Bahcesehir University held by the Contemporary Journalists’ Association. /Hürriyet/
WOMAN IN NEW AFGHAN GOVERNMENT INSPIRED BY ATATURK
Sima Samar, one of the two women holding a ministerial post in the Afghan interim government, said yesterday that she held Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in great esteem. Stating that the women who had been forbidden to receive education under the Taleban had now begun to go back to school, Samar said that they would work to connect Afghanistan’s women’s education centers with the International Blue Crescent. Samar added, “As part of a project financed by the Blue Crescent, the women will be educated on carpet weaving, handcrafts, sewing, computers and English. The reforms carried through Ataturk played an important role in terms of Turkish women taking their place in modern world, and therefore I take Ataturk as an example.” Samar invited the Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who work for women’s rights to come to Afghanistan to help solve the problems of Afghan women. Saying that they wanted to benefit from Turkey’s experiences, Samar added, “We hope that Turkish women will stand with us in our struggle to bring Afghan women into modern society.” /Aksam/
ANKARA HOSTS CULTURE AND ARTS FAIR
The Fourth International Culture and Arts Fair was opened in Ankara’s Ataturk Culture Center this last weekend. At the fair, souvenirs, books, furniture, hobby crafts, home textiles and weapons from over 20 countries are being exhibited. The event will run through Feb. 20. /Aksam/
TURKISH POSTER HONORED BY AD COMMUNITY
A tourism promotion poster published in Germany by the Turkish Tourism Ministry bearing the slogan “Come to Turkey, Catch the Rhythm” was honored yesterday by a professional trade journal. The Tourism Ministry announced that the readers of WV, an advertisement and media newspaper published in Germany, ranked Turkey’s poster number two among a field of 20 top ad campaigns. WV gave the honor on the basis of good taste, attractiveness, effectiveness and how well it conveyed information. /Star/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION