IN PRAGUE, SEZER REITERATES TURKEY’S RESOLVE TO JOIN EU
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer arrived in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, yesterday to pay an official visit to that country. Following a welcoming ceremony, Czech President Vaclav Havel met with Sezer. During their meeting, the two presidents discussed Turkey’s and the Czech Republic’s EU accession processes and reiterated their resolve to gain membership. They also spoke about the threat of terrorism. Sezer then met with Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman and visited Prague’s old quarter. Havel hosted a dinner in Sezer’s honor that night. Speaking at the dinner, Sezer said that EU membership was one of main targets of all the Turkish governments and the Turkish nation. “Turkey believes that different cultures and religions will contribute to the EU’s richness,” he added. /All papers/
ECEVIT: “THERE’S NO NEED FOR WAR IN IRAQ”
Appearing on CNN Turk yesterday, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that even if Turkey didn’t participate in a possible military operation against Iraq, it would be greatly affected and tourism would suffer huge losses. “We are trying to convince our US colleagues that any such operation would deter foreigners from investing in Turkey,” Ecevit added. Ecevit also said that there was no need to another war in the Middle East, that addressing the current conflict there was enough of a task. Addressing his party’s parliamentary group meeting yesterday and apparently referring to recent calls for a national referendum on EU membership, Ecevit said, “We have no need for any referendum. Let’s look after our own business.” /Hurriyet/
INTELLIGENCE REPORTS: “IRAN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE PKK”
A report recently prepared by Turkish intelligence units purports that Iran is still continuing to support the terrorist group PKK. According to the report, so-called PKK chairmanship council members Osman Ocalan and Duran Kalkan met with Iranian intelligence official Haci Ramazan this Feb. 18 in Urumiye, Iran. Ramazan allegedly stated at the meeting that the PKK should not halt its militant activities since it would never reach its goals through political methods. /Sabah/
MEETING SLATED TO DISCUSS TURKEY’S ISAF COMMAND
Officials from the United States and Great Britain are scheduled to arrive in Ankara next week at Turkey’s invitation to discuss the proposal for it to take up the command of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. During the meetings, Turkey wants certain points to be clarified before it undertakes that command, namely: The United Nations should layout the UN’s precise duty in Afghanistan; the quality and scope of the duty and duration and authority of the force, as well as its basic aim, whether to preserve or establish peace, should be clearly defined; and international funds should be collected to cover the cost of the operation. /Turkiye/
TURKISH CONSTRUCTION TEAM TO VISIT AFGHANISTAN
Turkey is now preparing to send construction experts to Afghanistan to investigate the reconstruction of the region. The Turkish team is to arrive there on Monday under the leadership of State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel. The team’s mission in the region would include sweeping up mines, airport reconstruction and residential development. /Hurriyet/
KIVRIKOGLU: “THE EU IS A GEOPOLITICAL NECESSITY FOR TURKEY”
Speaking to military journal Defense and Aerospace this week, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu said that European Union membership was a “geopolitical necessity” for Turkey and that Turkey’s and the EU’s interests were parallel to each other. He underlined the need for Turkey’s participation in European organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the EU. Kivrikoglu added, however, that there were still some European countries which support terrorist organizations who act against Turkey. /Hurriyet/
KILINC: “TURKEY SHOULD SEEK NEW ALLIANCES BESIDES THE EU”
National Security Council (MGK) Secretary-General Gen. Tuncer Kilinc said yesterday that the European Union had never supported Turkey on issues concerning Turkey’s national interest, adding that Turkey should seek out new alliances other then the EU, such as Iran and Russia. Gen. Kilinc made the remarks at a conference at Istanbul’s War Academies Command, adding that he was expressing his own personal views. Speaking at the same conference, Istanbul University economics Professor Erol Manisali commented that the European Union would never either exclude nor fully include Turkey, but would rather always keep it waiting in the wings. /Hurriyet/
TURKEY MARKS WORLD WOMEN’S DAY
Turkey will mark World Women’s Day with a number of activities today. In Istanbul, women will march and hold a meeting, and in Ankara, some 2,000 women are expected to gather for various festivities. In addition, panel discussions, conferences, shows and exhibitions will be held to mark the occasion throughout major Turkish cities. /Turkish Daily News/
BENAZIR BUTTO VISITS ISTANBUL FOR WOMEN’S CONGRESS
Former Pakistani President Benazir Butto is scheduled to participate in today’s International Women’s Congress meeting, held this year in Istanbul for the first time, to mark World Women’s Day. She will make a speech to the Congress at the Cemal Resit Bey Convention and Exhibition Hall, and to attend a reception in Kadikoy as well. Upon arriving in Turkey, Butto told reporters that it was a great honor for her to be invited to the gathering. /Star/
AKCAN: “FIVE YEARS ARE NEEDED TO STRENGHTEN KEY ISTANBUL STRUCTURES”
Public Works and Housing Minister Abdulkadir Akcan said yesterday that it could take up to five years to strengthen nearly a dozen key structures in Istanbul to make them more earthquake resistant. Akcan added that there was no problem in the delivery of a $100 million loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for that purpose. The key structures as determined by Turkish and Japanese technical experts include the Bosphorus Bridge, Fatih Bridge, both Halic Bridges, the viaduct approaching the Bosphorus (European side), both viaducts to the Halic Bridge, and two viaducts in Ortakoy. /Milliyet/
DERVIS: “TURKEY PLACES A HIGH PREMIUM ON EU MEMBERSHIP”
Turkish State Minister for Economy Kemal Dervis, who is currently visiting Great Britain, yesterday participated in a conference with British scholars and students at Oxford University. Dervis remarked that Turkey had been able to revive its economy by implementing an effective economic program and pursuing successful foreign policies in the wake of last September’s terrorist attacks on the US. Stating that he believed new reforms were necessary for Turkey to join the EU, Dervis said, “The next 10 years will be very important for us. Turkish people place a high premium on EU membership, since it is the key issue which will determine Turkey’s future.” Dervis is scheduled to travel to London today to hold a meeting with British industrialists. /Cumhuriyet/
IMF’S KAHKONEN CALLS MEETINGS “CONSTRUCTIVE”
In Turkey for a series of meetings as part of an International Monetary Fund review, IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen said yesterday, “My contacts with representatives of the manufacturing industry and financial sector in Istanbul were very constructive.” Following the talks in Istanbul, Kahkonen proceeded to Ankara for a number of technical meetings. /Aksam/
VURAL SEES BULGARIAN TELECOM COMPANY AS AN OPPORTUNITY
Transportation Minister Oktay Vural said yesterday that Turkish companies, including Turk Telekom, should be interested in regional telecommunication companies and added, “In this respect, I consider the Bulgarian Telecom Company [(BTC)] a real opportunity.” Speaking to the Reuters news agency, Vural said, “Turk Telekom can employ privatization and cooperation in our neighboring countries along with the private sector. We have the know-how, and BTC is an opportunity in this regard. In addition, there are 1.5 million of our kinsmen living in Bulgaria.” /Aksam/
SSSB REPORT: “IT’S NOW TIME TO INVEST IN TURKISH BANKS”
Schroder Salomon Smith Barney, a prominent international financial consultant agency, stated in a new report on the Turkish banking system released this week that the time was now ripe for foreign investors to invest in Turkish banks since measures recently taken by the Turkish government had reduced risks in the sector. The report stated that the Turkish government had managed to improve the monitoring system in financial markets as well as the general structure of the sector. /Sabah/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION