IN BARCELONA, ECEVIT, CEM VOICE OPPOSITION TO IRAQ INTERVENTION
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stressed during their meetings at the EU summit in Barcelona last week that any military intervention in Iraq would greatly damage delicate balances in Turkey’s region. “Iraq does not pose a threat to any of its neighbors,” said both leaders. “However, any intervention in the region would deal a great blow to peace and stability in the region.” Speaking to the press yesterday, Cem stated that there were significant divergences of opinion on the Iraq issue among EU members. Cem added that the EU had made no decision on the issue since it did not want to give the impression that there were problems between the EU and the US. /Cumhuriyet/
CHENEY TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY TOMORROW
US Vice President Dick Cheney will arrive in Turkey tomorrow as part of his 12-day, 10-country tour of the Middle East and Great Britain. The Iraq issue will be the main topic of discussion between Cheney and Turkish government officials. Cheney is also expected to warn Turkey about Iraq’s alleged chemical weapons program. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said that he will reiterate that Turkey is opposed to a possible US military operation in Iraq. /Turkiye/
ISTANBUL HOSTS WORLD TELECOM CONFERENCE
The 2002 World Telecommunications Development Conference organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Turkish Telecommunications Council starts in Istanbul today and will run through March 27. Some 1,200 delegates from the 189 ITU member countries are expected to attend the conference held at the Lutfi Kirdar Convention Center. /Milliyet/
87th ANNIVERSARY OF GALLIPOLI COMMEMORATED
Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu issued a message yesterday to mark the 87th anniversary of the Gallipoli, a victory by Turkish troops defending the Dardanelles during World War I. Kivrikoglu said that the victory was a sign of what the Turkish nation could accomplish when the unity of its land and independence of the nation were at stake. “We are proud to celebrate the 87th anniversary of this triumph and the struggle in which the Turkish nation prevailed against the strongest countries of that period,” he stated. “The Gallipoli is a victory which changed the course of history and the destiny of the Turkish nation.” Meanwhile, the 1915 victory is to be celebrated in Canakkale today with a number of ceremonies, and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is expected to be in attendance. /All Papers/
CEM: “ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN SITUATION COULD BE FELT IN TURKEY”
Speaking to state channel TRT 1 yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that during US Vice President Dick Cheney’s visit to Turkey beginning tomorrow, the troubling situation between Israel and the Palestinians should be discussed, with the goal of ending the cycle of violence. “If we fail to solve the problem between Israel and the Palestinians, then the conflict will affect the whole Middle East, and Turkey could also be affected,” Cem added. Cem also addressed recent discussions concerning Turkey’s path towards European Union accession and whether “alternative” alliances might be better. The foreign minister said that the paths were not mutually exclusive. “Turkey has two goals: European Union membership and being a significant country in Eurasia,” Cem stated. /Cumhuriyet/
BAHCELI TO VISIT KAZAKHSTAN
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli is to visit Kazakhstan today. During his visit, Bahceli is scheduled to meet with the Kazakh president, prime minister, and Parliament speaker as well as Turkish businessmen. Bahceli is to return to Turkey on March 22. /Star/
KIVRIKOGLU VISITS UZBEKISTAN
Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu arrived in Uzbekistan yesterday as part of his current Central Asia tour. Gen. Kivrikoglu took in the sights of the cities of Buhara and Semerkant. /Hurriyet/
IMF DELEGATION SATISFIED WITH TURKEY’S PROGRESS
A visiting International Monetary Fund delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen has completed its first review in Turkey this year. Reportedly, the writing of Turkey’s Letter of Intent has been completed, with both sides agreed on it. The IMF delegation is reportedly satisfied with the government’s economic program in general, and it is expected to leave Turkey early this week. /Aksam/
BODRUM TO HOST WORLD AUTO RALLY IN MAY
The Aegean coastal town of Bodrum is set to host this summer’s 2002 World Classic Auto Rally. Some 150 autos are expected to participate in the rally, which will be held on May 15-19. /Hurriyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION