MGK TO MEET TODAY
The National Security Board (MGK) chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will meet this morning at the Presidential Palace. The two controversial topics, the abolition of the capital punishment, as well as education and broadcasting in Kurdish language are expected to be discussed during the meeting. /All Papers/
ECEVIT MEETS SPANISH DEFENSE MINISTER
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday met with Spanish Defense Minister Federico Trillo Figueroa who is paying an official visit to Turkey. At the meeting, Ecevit conveyed Turkey's concern over the exclusion of the PKK and the DHKP-C terrorist organizations from the EU's recently released list of terrorist organizations. Figueroa said that Spain would do whatever it could for the topic in question. Ecevit also informed the Spanish Minister about the recent developments on the Ankara-Istanbul Railway project which will be carried out by Spanish loan. Stressing that Turkey was willing to take over the command of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF), Ecevit stated however, that Turkey had difficulty in financing. He also expressed Turkey's concern about a possible intervention in Iraq that would have negative effects on Turkish economy. /Turkiye/
LEADERS DISCUSS ISAF COMMAND BY TURKEY
Leaders of the coalition government met yesterday to discuss the topic of Turkey's taking over the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF)'s command from Britain. Following the one-hour meeting Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told reporters that international community including the US, Britain, France, as well as Afghan Interim Government Prime Minister Hamid Karzai, asked Turkey to take over the command. Ecevit said that "finance support" was not the only topic, but all other conditions should be examined in detail. /Turkiye/
TURKISH-US ECONOMIC COMMISSION STARTED YESTERDAY
The Turkish-US Economic Partnership Commission started yesterday in Ankara. US Assistant Secretary of State Alan Larson at the opening meeting said that US wanted to establish a strong relationship with Turkey and that they would work in coordination with Turkish authorities in order to lay the groundwork for the Turkish economy to move from recovery to growth and competitiveness. Larson also said that he was very pleased with the improvements of the Turkish economic program. Speaking at the start of the meeting Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that the new body would aim at bringing US-Turkish economic relations to a close strategic partnership between the two countries. For his part US Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill, speaking at Chicago yesterday in Chicago Economy Club sent a message to Turkey by saying that Bush administration is satisfied with the improvements in Turkey. /Hurriyet, Sabah/
PAPANDREU: "TURCO-GREEK MEETINGS ARE HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITIES"
Greek Foreign Ministry George Papandreou said that the meetings held by Turkey and Greece concerning the Aegean and Cyprus issues were historical opportunities. Speaking to the German daily "Der Tagesspiegel," Papandreou pointed out that Greece's relations with Turkey had improved a great deal in the last two years. Stating that the two nations want to live in peace, he added, "Cyprus will either unite, or separate us. Sooner or later, we have to find a solution to this problem." While answering a question if Turkey can be a member of the EU in the year 2007, Papandreou said, "Turkey is the candidate country. This is a big opportunity for the country. We support Turkey's European perspective. At this point, it is important if Turkey has the will and wish for carrying out the necessary reforms. This will not be easy. This might last longer than Ankara expects them to last." /Aksam/
GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER BURJANADZE VISITS TURKEY
Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze yesterday met with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli. Among the issues discussed during the meetings were the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project and the problem of Abhaz. /Cumhuriyet/
DERVIS TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS
State Minister for Economy Kemal Dervis is to meet with the representatives of the employees and employers today to discuss future increases in wages. Minister of Labor and Social Security Yasar Okuyan, Finance Minister Sumer Oral and representatives from organizations of employers and employees are expected to attend the meeting. The main theme of the meeting will be "Production and Distribution of Income." /Cumhuriyet/
GREECE SCRATCHES AN OLD WOUND
There are signs that diplomatic tension between Turkey and Greece will increase, following the recent attempts of the Greek officials to bring the issues of so-called Armenian, Pontus and Anatolian genocide into the spotlights. Although such attempts are to blow a deal on the recent rapprochement process between the two countries, Greek officials seem determined not to give up their hypocritical policies on those issues. Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Magriotis stated at a press conference that Greece would aid the minorities of allegedly Greek origin living in Black Sea region. Stating that they would convey the aids via local organizations, Magriotis argued that the Greek minorities living in the Black Sea region and especially in Albania had serious problems due to historical and political reasons. He added that those problems would be discussed at the 5th World Pontus Forum to be held on Sept. 18-21 in Salonica. Turkey had previously denounced such attempts, stressing that Greece distorted historical facts. /Cumhuriyet/
IRAN WANTS TO BUY GASOLINE FROM TURKEY
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Muhsin Eminzade yesterday transmitted a message to Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal saying that Iran wanted to buy gasoline from Turkey. Eminzade also said that Iran was ready to buy sugar, wheat, rice and gasoline from Turkey. /Hurriyet/
SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS IN THE EP REPORT
The European Parliament's recent "Caucasus Report" included the allegations of the so-called Armenian genocide. The report, prepared by Swedish parliamentarian Per Gahrton, is to be discussed today at the Foreign Relations Commission and will be voted tomorrow at the Plenary Session. Turkish lobbies in Brussels, despite the strong Armenian lobbies, are currently trying to convey Turkey's views as well as historical facts to the diplomatic circles, reiterating that a possible approval of those allegations would seriously damage Turkish-EU relations. /Cumhuriyet/
FORESTRY MINISTRY MAKES ECEVIT'S POEM UNFORGETTABLE
Forestry Ministry will carve Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's poem, which recounts the Canakkale Legend, on the entrance of Kabatepe Museum on granite panels. Ecevit's poem, written in 1988, was printed on panels by using serigraphy technique. These panels, which were prepared in English and Turkish, will be put on both sides of Kabatepe Museum and Simge Monument. In addition, the CD, which was prepared by the National Parks and Game-Wildlife in order to promote 33 national parks, includes the poem that is read by Ecevit himself. /Aksam/
FEHRIYE ERDAL CASE POSTPONED
As the judicial process on the case of Fehriye Erdal is continuing in Belgium, the Belgian Court of Appeals yesterday decided to postpone the case until April 16th. One of the assassins of Ozdemir Sabanci, Fehriye Erdal is being tried in Belgian courts for the crimes she committed in Turkey. Belgium had previously rejected to extradite Erdal to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/
AYSE KIL BECOMES EUROPEAN CHAMPION
First lieutenant Ayse Kil from Marksmanship and Sharp Shooters Training Unit, attached to the Training and Doctrine Command (EDOK) became the first in the Balkan Marksmanship Championship, which was held in Istanbul this year. Yugoslavia placed second and Bulgaria came third in the championship, which was also attended by Macedonia, Greece, Romania and Albania. /Sabah/
GALATASARAY DRAW 1-1 WITH LIVERPOOL
Galatasaray drew 1-1 with British Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League second-round match in B group last night in Istanbul. Galatasaray is still maintaining its chance for quarterfinals and it will play its next match with Rome on March 13. /All Papers/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION