SEZER VISITS ERZURUM
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, accompanied by his wife, left yesterday for a visit to the eastern Anatolian province of Erzurum. The president visited the Erzurum Governorship and the Ninth Army Corps Commandship, and he was briefed about the problems of the province. Sezer also attended new academic year ceremonies at Ataturk University. /Turkiye/
GUREL: “TURKEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RISKS IN IRAQ”
Speaking at a campaign rally for the Democratic Left Party (DSP), Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday stated that Turkey didn’t want a war in Iraq and that it was willing to do whatever it could to prevent a military operation near its borders. He added, however, that were a war to break out, Turkey would take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the Turkish people and that it wouldn’t take anything which might endanger their safety. Commenting on the possible effects of a war, Gurel gave as an example the losses Turkey suffered as a direct consequence of 1991’s Gulf War and predicted that a military operation would have adverse effects on all the countries of the region. /Cumhuriyet/
OZKOK: “IRAQ’S TERRITORIAL AND POLITICAL INTEGRITY SHOULD BE PRESERVED”
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok said yesterday that Turkey was in favor of preserving Iraq’s territorial and political integrity in any case, including whatever situation followed a possible military operation in that country. Ozkok, who is currently paying a two-day official visit to Bulgaria, met with his Bulgarian counterpart Nikola Kolev. Remarking that this was his first official visit to Turkey’s Balkan neighbor, Ozkok said, “Prior to NATO’s Prague summit, I am here to declare that Bulgaria boasts an army sufficiently strong to participate in the alliance.” Turkey is a longtime member of NATO, and Bulgaria is hoping to join its ranks. Regarding a possible operation in Iraq, he said that Turkey was always in favor of peaceful efforts to resolve international disputes. “We have conveyed Turkey’s concern over a possible operation in Iraq to the countries involved,” Ozkok added. /Turkiye/
ZIYAL MEETS WITH US AMBASSADOR PEARSON
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal yesterday met with United States Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson to discuss the latest developments on the Iraq issue. At the meeting, Ziyal reportedly expressed Turkey’s concerns regarding recent US encouragement given to northern Iraqi Kurdish groups and stressed the importance Turkey places on Iraq’s territorial integrity. Underlining the need for a United Nations Security Council resolution before any operation is launched in that country, Ziyal stated that adopting a new resolution was the only way to ensure international legitimacy. Meanwhile, commenting on rumors about US requests to open a new airbase and deploy troops in Turkey, a senior Foreign Ministry official yesterday declared that currently there were no US troops stationed within Turkish borders and that the use of Turkish territory to enter Iraq would not be permitted. /Cumhuriyet/
TUSIAD DELEGATION VISITS WASHINGTON
A delegation from the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) headed by TUSAID Board of Directors Chairman Mustafa Koc yesterday travelled to Washington. The TUSIAD delegation is scheduled to meet with high-ranking US officials and Faruk Logoglu, Turkey’s ambassador to the US. A possible military operation in Iraq and its negative effects on the Turkish economy are expected to be discussed during these meetings. Soli Ozel, advisor to the TUSIAD chairmanship, is also to give a speech at the Washington Institute. /Sabah/
CEM: “AS PRIME MINISTER, I WILL SET A NEW STANDARD”
New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem declared yesterday said that if the YTP came to power in next month’s elections, he would set himself apart from the nation’s previous prime ministers. “I will be an exemplary prime minister if we come to power,” Cem told a campaign rally in the central Anatolian town of Kirsehir. “If Turkey is in a bad shape now, a neglect of the nation’s needs is responsible for this.” Cem also said that most of Turkey’s problems were not economic ones. “Former governments unskilled in economic administration caused these problems, and when we come to power we will turn this situation around,” added Cem. /Milliyet/
CILLER: “NEITHER THE CHP NOR THE AKP ARE WHAT TURKEY NEEDS”
Speaking in the central Anatolian town of Aksaray yesterday, True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said that the positions of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) were at odds with the nation at large and that those of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) were at odds with the state. Ciller also criticized the current government’s inaction on setting a price for sugar beets. “We will change the sugar beet law if we come to power in the Nov. 3 elections,” she added. /Milliyet/
TIM CHAIRMAN: “AN OPERATION IN IRAQ WOULD HARM TURKEY”
Even as US officials continue to try to make the case for military intervention against Iraq, another Turkish business leader has added his voice to a chorus of voices predicting adverse economic consequences should such intervention occur. Speaking yesterday, Turkish Exporters’ Assembly Chairman Oguz Satici said that a military operation in Iraq would do harm to Turkey’s economy and trade alike. /Star/
IMF DELEGATION MEETS WITH ORAL, TURKER
An International Monetary Fund delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonnen, currently in Turkey to conduct the fourth review of its economic program, yesterday met with Finance Minister Sumer Oral. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Oral said that Turkey’s priority aim was to continue to apply the economic program. Later in the day, the IMF delegation also met with other state economy officials, including Economy Minister Masum Turker. Turker stated that the fourth and fifth IMF review would probably not be combined. If they were, however, $1.6 billion in additional financing would be provided to Turkey next year rather than this one, added Turker. /Star/
TANTAN: “THE YP WILL ELIMINATE CORRUPTION AND POVERTY”
At his party’s inaugural campaign rally yesterday in the city of Edirne in eastern Thrace, Homeland Party (YP) leader Saadettin Tantan pledged that his party would eliminate corruption and poverty if it comes to power in next month’s elections. Tantan stated that Turkey needed a new civil cooperation which would make the nation’s best interests its priority. /Milliyet/
RED CRESCENT GETS READY FOR POSSIBLE IMMIGRATION WAVE
The Red Cross and Red Crescent (Kizilay) Associations yesterday held an International and Regional Cooperation Symposium in Ankara with the participation of representatives from over 24 countries. Speaking to reporters, Public Works and Housing Minister Abdulkadir Akcan said that Turkey would take necessary measures to prepare for a wave of immigration from Iraq if a military intervention takes place in that country. Red Crescent Chairman Ertan Gonen stated that the group was getting ready to deal with some 250,000 immigrants, adding that tent cities would be constructed in certain buffer regions. /Turkiye/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION