TURKISH PLAYERS ATTACKED AFTER FOOTBALL MATCH IN ITALY
Galatasaray tied 1-1 with Italian side Roma in a UEFA Champions League football match last night in Rome. After the match ended, the stadium saw a number of attacks made against the Turkish players. The violence began with an attack by Roma player Lima and Roma Coach Capello on the Galatasaray players. Galatasaray players Berkant, Emre Asik and Capone were also wounded by Italian police. The Turkish players made it to their locker rooms with difficulty and were unable to leave the stadium for more than two hours. Meanwhile, three Turkish reporters were taken into custody by the Italian police. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem condemned the violence and said that the ministry would issue a written protest to Italy over the attacks against Turkish players and reporters. /All Papers/
ECEVIT SENDS MESSAGES TO ARAFAT AND SHARON
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit send messages to Palestinian leader Yaser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon calling on the two leaders to stop the violence and return to the bargaining table to resume negotiations, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said yesterday. At the ministry's weekly press conference, Dirioz also told reporters that Deputy Undersecretary Ambassador Ali Tuygan had left for the region the day before to convey the messages from the Turkish government. Stressing that Tuygan would meet with Sharon and Foreign Minister Simon Peres, as well as Arafat, Dirioz said that the messages include Turkey's views on recent developments in the region. Regarding US Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to Ankara, scheduled to begin on March 19, Dirioz stated that Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and other high-level military officials would also attend the meetings between Turkish authorities and Cheney. /All Papers/
ECEVIT: "TURKEY WILL NOT SUPPORT AN OPERATION IN IRAQ"
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit reiterated yesterday that Turkey would not support a military operation in Iraq. Stressing that Turkey was still feeling the negative consequences of the 1991 Gulf War, Ecevit said that there was no need for an intervention in Iraq. Ecevit is to convey Turkey's concern over the matter to US Vice President Dick Cheney during the latter's visit to Turkey as part of his 12-country tour of the region. "A military operation in Iraq would affect the Turkish economy negatively, through downturns in both tourism and foreign investments," he added. /Turkiye/
MEETINGS ON ISAF TO BEGIN TODAY IN ANKARA
Officials from the United States, Turkey and Great Britain are to begin a series of meetings today in Ankara to discuss the handover of the command of the international peacekeeping force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu yesterday reiterated that Turkey wanted to take over the command of the ISAF but that a final decision had not yet been taken. "There are certain issues which are still being discussed," said Cakmakoglu. "We have already determined our technical, military and financial needs, and discussion is continuing on these issues." While the Turkish delegation will be headed by Foreign Ministry Special Coordinator for Afghanistan Aydemir Erman, the US delegation is helmed by US Special Representative for Afghanistan James Dobbins and the British delegation by UK Special Representative for Afghanistan David Reddaway. /Cumhuriyet/
WOLFOWITZ: "THE US IS NOT TRYING TO ESTABLISH A KURDISH STATE"
US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said yesterday that it was the United States' stated policy to protect Iraq's territorial integrity. Speaking at a meeting honoring late Turkish President Turgut Ozal, Wolfowitz, who is one of the most fervent proponents of a possible attack against Iraq, said, "We understand Turkey's anxiety. During the Gulf War, it was clearly established that the US had no intention [to divide Iraq]. We are not trying to establish a Kurdish state." Saying that its recent reforms had made Turkey a stronger country, Wolfowitz added, "The Turkish coalition government took the proper steps and put the economy on the right track under the helm of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the economic leadership of Economy Minister Kemal Dervis. In spite of the difficulties Turkey has faced of late, it has conducted itself courageously. Turkey's national climate will improve through implementation of these reforms. /Sabah/
ECEVIT TO LEAVE FOR SPAIN TODAY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will fly to Spain today to attend the European Union's Barcelona Summit to be attended by the heads of state and government of EU member and candidate countries starting tomorrow. Before his departure, Ecevit is to hold a press conference at Esenboga Airport. During his visit, Ecevit is scheduled to tour Pedralbes Palace and attend a luncheon given by the Spanish royal family. Officials from EU member Spain, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, have recently stated that Turkey is continuing to meet the Copenhagen criteria. /Aksam/
YILMAZ: "COPENHAGEN CRITERIA MUST BE FULFILLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
In a speech at the Motherland Party (ANAP) group meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and ANAP Chairman Mesut Yilmaz yesterday offered his evaluations of recent developments concerning Turkish-EU relations. Remarking that he was aware of certain European circles' opposition to Turkey's EU membership bid, Yilmaz stated that Turkey would keep its promises in order to meet the EU criteria regardless of such efforts. Recalling that the adjustment laws which government coalition partners recently agreed upon would be sent to Parliament next week, Yilmaz said that the Copenhagen criteria must be fulfilled as soon as possible. He stressed that Turkey had never acted dishonorably in order to gain the EU membership and would never do so. Yilmaz also stated that certain untimely public remarks from a number of Turkish politicians would do nothing but hamper Turkey's bid to join the EU. /Cumhuriyet/
CAKAN TO PUSH ENERGY IN ITALY, US
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan flew to Italy yesterday to attend the Southeastern Europe Energy Forum. In written statement, Cakan said that work had begun to construct a natural gas pipeline between Turkey and Greece. "In addition to the present power line between Turkey and Bulgaria, an additional 400 kilowatt energy line is scheduled to be completed by the end of this April," he added. Following his visit to Italy, Cakan will proceed to Washington on March 17 to attend the American-Turkish Council's 21st annual conference and the Clean Fossil Fuel Systems Meeting. He is also expected to sign the Cooperation in Energy Techniques accord and attend an agreement signing ceremony for the Konaktepe Dam Construction project. /Turkiye/
TASAR DEPARTS FOR TOURISM FAIRS IN EUROPE
Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar left for France yesterday to attend World Tourism Hall Fair in Paris. Stressing that 550 organizations from 140 countries would attend the fair, Tasar said that the fair was a very important organization for Turkey to promote itself as a tourist destination. After the Paris event, Tasar is expected to proceed to Germany to attend the 2002 Berlin Fair. /Turkiye/
AKUT TO ESTABLISH AIR TEAM FOR DISASTER RELIEF
The Turkish Search and Rescue Team (AKUT) announced yesterday that it plans to establish an air intervention team. The air team, dubbed SAR, will include national parachuters and will train to make "first on the scene" operations during natural disasters. AKUT Chairman Nasuh Mahruki said, "The SAR team will be able to reach disaster areas quickly by making use of air ambulances and other air transportation systems." /Star/
TUSIAD: "NO ONE CAN BLOCK TURKEY'S PATH TO THE EU"
In an interview with Turkish daily Hurriyet this week, Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan offered his evaluations of a TUSIAD delegation's recent visit to Spain. Remarking that he was pleased with the delegation's meetings in that country, Ozilhan said, "If we manage to keep our promises concerning our bid for EU membership, then no one can stop Turkey on its path towards the EU." Two days ago, a TUSIAD delegation met with German Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Jurgen Chrobog as well as German industrialists and businessmen in Germany. Among the issues discussed at the delegation's meeting with Chorobog were Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot administration's possible admittance to the EU. Chrobog remarked that the EU might admit the Greek Cypriots without reaching a permanent solution on the island in order to prevent Greece from blocking the enlargement process. The TUSIAD delegation harshly criticized Chrobog's statement by saying that Turkish-EU relations would be greatly damaged by such a development. /Hurriyet/
TURKISH, SPANISH CHAMBERS SIGN COOPERATION PACT
The Turkish Association of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) and the Spanish Association of Chambers (IOB) signed an agreement for bilateral cooperation at a meeting held in Barcelona yesterday. The agreement, which was signed by TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu and IOB Chairman Jose Manuel Fernandez Norniella, aims to increase economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries a maximum level, to encourage investments, and to further develop the current relations. The published common declaration states that the IOB supports Turkey's EU membership and that it attached importance to Turkey starting membership negotiations. The Spanish government currently holds the rotating EU term presidency. /Aksam/
IMF'S DAWSON PRAISES TURKEY'S SUCCESS IN ITS ECONOMIC PROGRAM
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in London, International Monetary Fund Foreign Relations Director Thomas Dawson stated that the IMF had "full confidence" in the Turkish economy. Remarking that Turkey had recently achieved remarkable success on the economic front, Dawson said, "Turkey has taken significant steps through its economic program and recent structural reforms." Recalling that the Turkish government should present its next economic package first to the IMF, Dawson said, "Turkey is very important for foreign investors. Current world market conditions must be taken into consideration in preparing the next package." /Cumhuriyet/
BOSCH DIRECTOR GENERAL PRAISES TURKEY
Bosch Industry Director General Klaus Peter Fouquet said yesterday that Turkey had become a rapidly developing center for automotive export. Fouquet added, "Our investment in Turkey, which totaled 205 million euros over 1999-2001, will more than double to 445 million euros by 2004." Fouquet also said that the production of complete fuel injector systems would soon begin in Bursa. /Star/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION