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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-09-21

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

21 AUGUST 2001 Friday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on September 21. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    CEM DUE TO MIDDLE EAST
    Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will go to Middle East on a one-day working visit. Cem is scheduled to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, and with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

    HSBC BANK PURCHASES DEMIRBANK
    Contract for sale and transfer of Demirbank which had been transferred to Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), to HSBC Bank was signed in Istanbul.

    Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) Chairman Engin Akcakoca and HSBC Group Executive Board Chairman Keith Whitson signed the contract. According to the contract, all necessary proceedings for transfer of Demirbank to the HSBC Bank will be finalized till October 31, 2001. The HSBC Bank will pay 350 million U.S. dollars to the BRSA for transfer of the Demirbank.

    IMF'S REPRESENTATIVE BREKK SAYS TALKS WILL CONTINUE
    International Monetary Fund's Representative Odd Brekk said that the 10th review talks with Turkish officials would continue in Washington D.C. at the end of September. Brekk said that the economic program was on the right track. He noted that all performance criteria coincided with the targets. Noting that financial and monetary policies were on the right track, Odd Brekk said that Turkey had recorded a stable progress in banking reform. He added that IMF Board might convene in the first half of October after finalization of the 10th review.

    SDIF EXTENDS BIDDING DEADLINE FOR THREE BANKS
    The Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) extended the deadline for submitting bids to sale of Iktisat Bankasi, Etibank and Sitebank shares. SDIF said that the deadline for submitting bid to Iktisat Bankasi was extended to October 15, 2001; the deadline for submitting bid to Etibank was extended to October 1, 2001; and the deadline for submitting bid to Sitebank was extended to October 17, 2001. Uni Credito Italiano (Italy) will bid for Iktisat Bankasi, Koc Holding (Turkey) will bid for Etibank and Novabank (Greece) will bid for Sitebank.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    CRYPTO SHOCKS ANKARA
    The Foreign Affairs Ministry received a crypto from Turkish Consulate General in Cologne, Germany, two days after the terrorist attacks on twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and on the Pentagon building in Washington D.C. The crypto said that a terrorist organization whose name could not be unveiled, was planning to hit mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, with a similar attack. Directorate General of Security, General Staff, National Intelligence Organization and Provincial Directorate of Security in Ankara were informed on the developments. Security measures have been tightened in Ankara.

    LETTER CRISIS
    Turkey could not write the letter to be sent to United States President George W. Bush to express Turkey's support in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''the letter we write today, can become invalid tomorrow. We have postponed sending letter to President Bush.'' However, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz claimed the opposite. He said that the letter would be ready in one or two days.

    GOVERNMENT'S MEASURE AGAINST SHARP INCREASE IN PRICE OF U.S. DOLLAR
    Upon directives of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, a crisis desk has been set up on September 11 when the United States was horrified with a series of terrorist attacks. Secondly, the government decided to take some measures to prevent any sharp increase in price of U.S. dollar.

    DOMESTIC BORROWING STOCK EXCEEDS 100 QUADRILLION TL
    Treasury Undersecretariat announced that the domestic borrowing stock increased to 101 quadrillion 814.1 trillion Turkish liras (TL) as of the end of August 2001. The domestic borrowing stock was 36.4 quadrillion TL in January 2001, and 96 quadrillion 365.2 trillion TL at the end of July 2001. Thus Turkey's domestic debt increased by 5.6 percent compared to figures in July, and by 179.6 percent compared to figures in January.

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    EUROPE TO SEND TERRORIST BACK
    Europe was a safe place for members of terrorist organization PKK and Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). But following last week's terrorist attacks in the United States, Europe has totally changed its opinion about terrorism. All terrorists including Fehriye Erdal, a member of the DHKP-C and one of the suspects of killing of businessman Ozdemir Sabanci in 1996, and Dursun Karatas, the leader of the DHKP-C, are expected to be extradited to Turkey in coming days.

    DID OSAMA BIN LADEN COME TO TURKEY?
    The eight-passenger jet belonged to the Laden family, landed at Adana's Sakin Pasha Airport for five times in 1995, 1996 and 1998. The jet, later, proceeded to Istanbul. The passenger in the jet was recorded as Muhammed Osama in airport documents. Now, the Interior Ministry and the National Intelligence Organization are investigating whether that passenger was terrorist Osama bin Laden or not.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    LADEN ENTERS AND EXITS FOR TWO TIMES
    It was revealed that Osama bin Laden had come to Turkey for two times and he had paid one of his visits with a private airplane carrying ''his name''. It drew attention that he had paid his first visit during the coalition government period of Welfare Party (RP)-True Path Party (DYP) led by Necmettin Erbakan. It was also revealed that the State Airports Enterprise (DHMI) document which should be prepared after arrival of each private plane in Turkey was not sent to Ankara but kept in the file of ''confidential documents'' in Istanbul.

    ANKARA'S CENTRAL ASIA FEAR
    At the security summit which was held under chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the letter which will be sent to U.S. President George W. Bush was given its final shape. Turkey reiterated the assurance that it will extend full support to the U.S. in its fight against terrorism. The letter asks the U.S. to protect especially the balances in Central Asia and Pakistan.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    ANKARA DETERMINED
    A summit meeting was held at Cankaya Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. All alternatives following last week's terrorist attacks in the United States were taken up. Turkey's messages became clear.

    DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 36 IN DEATH FASTS
    Abdulbari Yusufoglu who had been fasting to death for 137 days at his house, died. Yusufoglu, 21, had been arrested for a period of time in 1999. He had started fasting to death to protest F-type prisons. Number of people who died because of death fasts increased to 36.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    CAPITAL PUNISHMENT TO TERROR CRIMES
    In accordance with the constitutional amendment bill which was approved by the Parliamentary Constitution Commission despite the against votes of two True Path Party (DYP) deputies, death penalty can't be given except the ''state of war, hot clash and terror'', and evidences which are found in a way that is against the law will not be considered evidence.

    MEETING AT PALACE
    At a meeting which was held under chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the Presidential Palace for 1 hour and 25 minutes, it was decided that ''Turkey will fulfil its responsibilities in harsh fight against terrorism and extend necessary support to the United States and other countries.''

    HE COMES TO TURKEY FOR TWO TIMES
    It was revealed that Osama bin Laden who was declared as the ''target man'' by the United States, had come to Istanbul with his private airplane namely ''Bin Laden'' in 1996 and 1998 while he was wanted by the Interpol with red bulletin.

    MILITARY BUILD-UP IN PERSIAN
    The United States which is claimed to strike also Iraq sent yesterday its Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf. This ship also carries guided missiles.

    DON'T GO TO PAKISTAN
    The Foreign Ministry recommended the Turkish citizens who are now in Pakistan to leave this country and those Turkish citizens who are planning to visit Pakistan to cancel their visits.

    ZAMAN (RIGHT)

    TURKEY: LAND OPERATION IS RISKY
    The Foreign Ministry thinks under the light of information it received that a land operation in Afghanistan would drag the U.S. into an impasse. The Foreign Ministry believes that the U.S. should limit the military operation with air strikes. Ankara believes that an operation in Afghanistan should be carried out in cooperation with the Afghan opposition forces which are struggling for power in the north of Afghanistan. Besides, Ankara thinks that a civil war could erupt in Pakistan if Pakistan was used as the base and headquarters of operation.

    WASHINGTON HAS NOT MADE A REQUEST YET
    At the National Security Summit which was held under chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, it was decided that Turkey would wait for the steps that the U.S. would take in fight against international terrorism and wait for the EU Summit. The statement said the United States had not made any request yet.

    -IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR KOEHLER SAYS IT IS EARLY
    TO TALK ABOUT IMF'S SUPPLEMENTARY SOURCE TO TURKEY
    WASHINGTON D.C. - International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Koehler said on Friday that it was early to talk about extension of supplementary source from IMF to Turkey but they would evaluate Turkey's situation.

    Speaking to a group of Western reporters, Koehler defined the press news about Turkey's request for new money from the IMF as ''early news'', and that assessment would be made after the IMF delegation arrived from Turkey.

    Koehler who was seen likely toward possibility of extension of supplementary source to Turkey said that Turkey was implementing a very serious and determined program and that the Turkish government had recorded great progress especially in restructuring of banking sector and restoring financial discipline.

    ''However, high interest rates give the signal that the problem could not be solved yet. Encouraging developments occurred in second half of August and early September regarding decrease in interest rates. However, interest rates rose again following the terrorist attacks. This is an important matter,'' he said.

    Koehler said he thought that some news articles about State Minister Kemal Dervis' request for money from IMF were too early, and that they would evaluate the situation when the IMF delegation arrived from Turkey.

    He said that they had clear and powerful interest in Turkey's recording progress and saving itself from this difficult condition.

    Horst Koehler said that IMF should make its evaluation under the light of latest developments and that they would wait for the IMF delegation's report.

    -CENTRAL BANK SELLS 20 MILLION DOLLARS
    ANKARA - Central Bank sold 20 million U.S. dollars in an auction it held on Friday to sell foreign exchange to banks.

    The average bid in the auction which the Central Bank held within framework of forex auctions program became 1 million 526 thousand 750 Turkish liras (TL).

    Maximum bid was 1 million 528 thousand TL and the minumum bid was 1 million 525 thousand TL.

    -DISIAD SAYS U.S.' STATEMENTS AND ATTITUDE HAVE AFFECTED SOUTHEAST
    DIYARBAKIR - Diyarbakir Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (DISIAD) Chairman Seyhmus Akbas said on Friday that statements and attitude of the United States regarding Afghanistan had already affected Southeastern Anatolia even before its possible operation.

    Releasing a statement, Akbas said that Turkey would suffer psychological and economic damage and loss in case of a war.

    Recalling that Turkey became the country which had suffered the most economic loss due to Gulf War, Akbas said, ''due to the Gulf War, Turkey's loss is 35-40 billion U.S. dollars, and this loss has not been compensated yet. Extraordinary situations or state of war in our region affect Turkey negatively. The statements and attitude of the United States which have been broadcast and published by media in last 3-4 days regarding Afghanistan, have negatively affected Southeastern Anatolia. The transfer of diesel fuel from Iraq through the Habur Border Gate has been suspended. A U.S. operation in Afghanistan will create serious negativities in field of economy in our region.''

    ''No one wins a war. We recommend everybody to be very careful while taking a decision. Words and expressions of war create uneasiness among Turkish citizens in southeast,'' he said.

    -CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BILL TO BE DEBATED AT
    PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR TWO TIMES
    ANKARA - The Parliamentary General Assembly will start to debate 37-article constitutional amendments bill on September 24, 2001.

    The bill will be debated at the Parliamentary General Assembly for two times.

    Acceptance of the bill is possible with the secret votes of the three- fifths (330) of the 550-seat parliament.

    In accordance with the Constitution and Parliament Regulations, second debate should start 48 hours after the end of the first debate.

    An article which can't get necessary vote in first and second debates will be rejected.

    The President can send the laws regarding constitutional amendments back to the parliament for discussion again.

    If the parliament approves the law which was sent back by the President with two-thirds majority of votes exactly in the same way, the President can bring the law to referendum.

    The law regarding the constitutional amendment which is approved by less than two-thirds majority (367) of votes will be published in the Official Gazette to bring it to referendum if the President did not send it back to parliament.

    -FOREIGN MINISTRY SOURCES DENY NEWS STORIES CLAIMING
    THAT A SUICIDE ATTACK WOULD BE STAGED ON MAUSOLEUM OF ATATURK
    ANKARA - Foreign Ministry sources said on Friday said, ''news storias claiming that Turkish Consulate General in Cologne, Germany, received a tip- off on the phone on September 13, which said that a suicide attack would be staged on mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, are not persuasive and coherent.''

    Noting that the Foreign Ministry took all tip-offs seriously, the same sources said that it was a routine proceedings to inform relevant units on developments.

    Sources said, ''an anonymous person called the Turkish Consulate General in Cologne on the phone, and claimed that a suicide attack would be staged on mausoleum of Ataturk. Having regard to sensitive atmosphere following the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, the General Staff, the Interior Ministry, the Directorate General of Security, the Provincial Directorate of Security in Ankara and the Mausoleum Commandership were informed on developments.''

    ''There was not any clear information about identities of possible assailants in the tip-off. Therefore we did not consider the tip-off as persuasive and coherent,'' they added.

    -TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HASIPOGLU SAYS
    THERE IS PEACE IN CYPRUS BUT NO AGREEMENT
    LEFKOSA - Parliament Speaker Ertugrul Hasipoglu of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday, ''there is peace in Cyprus but the thing which does not exist is agreement.''

    Before Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi addressed the TRNC Parliament, Hasipoglu said that their Parliament was experiencing an historic day as Izgi honored the TRNC parliament with his presence, and that he hoped this peaceful message would be understood by whole world.

    Stressing that terrorist attacks in the United States had proved that peace in the world was extremely sensitive, Hasipoglu said that those incidents once again proved rightfulness of Turkey which had expended efforts for long years for a joint fight against terrorism.

    Hasipoglu said he hoped developments following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. would positively reflect in Cyprus issue.

    Stressing that there was peace in Cyprus as a result of the Turkish Armed Forces' dissuasive force, Hasipoglu said that withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island would give rise to bloodshed in Cyprus.

    Calling on the world to give an end to unjust treatment of the Turkish Cypriots, Hasipoglu stressed that they would continue their rightful case with determination.

    Hasipoglu warned that steps which could destroy regional balances would negatively affect whole region.

    -MUTLU SAYS THEY WILL LAUNCH INITIATIVE AT
    IOC FOR LIFTING OF SPORTS EMBARGO ON TRNC
    ANKARA - Youth and Sports Director General Kemal Mutlu said on Friday that they would launch initiative at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for lifting of sports embargo imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

    Recalling that the Greek Cypriot side had been represented at the 14th Mediterranean Games and even the countries which did not have shore to Mediterranean had joined the games as guests, Mutlu said, ''despite these, we were seriously harmed by seeing that the TRNC couldn't participate in the games although it is an island state in the middle of the Mediterranean.''

    Noting that they had prepared a recommendatory report after the games and presented it to the Mediterranean Games Executive Committee, Mutlu said that they wanted the TRNC to join such sports activities.

    -PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS THERE IS NOT ANY DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
    ON ISSUE OF LETTER TO BE SENT TO UNITED STATES PRESIDENT BUSH
    ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday, ''there is not any difference of opinion on the issue of letter to be sent to United States President Gerge W. Bush. On the contrary, we are in a full harmony.''

    Speaking at a program on private television channel CNN Turk, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''an operation against Afghanistan can last for a long time. If the United States launches a military operation in Afghanistan, Turkey cannot send soldiers to the region, but we can provide military training for opposition groups in Afghanistan.''

    Noting that the United States had put forward its determination against terrorism, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''there has been an atmosphere of indecision in recent days. The whole world has been waiting for the United States' attitude. United States President Bush clarified it during his speech at the Congress. His speech revealed that the United States targeted Osama bin Laden and his organization. The United States will concentrate its reaction on bin Laden.''

    Prime Minister Ecevit added, ''there is not any difference of opinion on the issue of letter to be sent to United States President Gerge W. Bush. On the contrary, we are in a full harmony.''

    -DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SECURITY SAYS THERE IS NOT ANY
    RECORD ABOUT OSAMA BIN LADEN'S ARRIVAL IN TURKEY
    ANKARA - Security Directorate General Spokesman Feyzullah Arslan said on Friday, ''there is not any record about terrorist Osama bin Laden's entrance in Turkey in the past. Like in other 178 interpol countries, Osama bin Laden has been sought in Turkey.''

    Holding a press conference, Aslan said, ''an international conference on 'Opportunities and Limits of Fight Against Organized Crimes' would be organized in Izmir between September 21 and 29 in cooperation among the 9 Eylul University, Germany's Giessen Justus-Liebig University and the Directorate General of Security. Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen and Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk will attend the conference. Issues such as fight against organized crimes, prevention of money laundering, telephone tapping, corruption and protection of witnesses will be taken up at the conference.''

    Recalling that Interpol general assembly would convene in Hungarian capital Budapest between September 24 and 28, Arslan said that a Turkish delegation headed by Security Director General Kemal Onal will be in attendance at the meeting.

    Aslan said that the meeting was expected to focus on last week's terrorist attacks in the United States.

    When recalled news stories claiming that a suicide attack would be staged on Mausoleum of Ataturk, Aslan said that they had not received such an information.

    Responding to another question, Aslan said, ''there is not any record about terrorist Osama bin Laden's entrance in Turkey in the past. Like in other 178 interpol countries, Osama bin Laden has been sought in Turkey.''

    -MEETING BETWEEN CEM AND PERES STARTS
    TEL AVIV - Meeting between Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who is currently paying a one-day working visit to Middle East in order to contribute to efforts to settle peace in Middle East, and his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres started on Friday.

    Responding to questions of journalists prior to the meeting, Peres said that they would discuss the Middle East peace process and fight against international terrorism.

    Peres stressed that Cem was paying a visit to the region at a correct time.

    Refraining from responding to questions about date of his meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Peres said that there was not any difference of opinion between himself and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the issue of his meeting with Arafat.

    Sources told the A.A correspondent that Israel was pleased with Arafat's efforts to maintain the cease-fire. However, Israel wants Arafat to expend more efforts to put an end to acts of violence.

    Meanwhile, Cem will propose the sides to do whatever necessary to resume peace negotiations.

    Cem will stress that peace to be settled in Middle East following last week's terrorist attacks in the United States would give the whole world the message that different religions and cultures could coexist.

    He will underline that peace in Middle East would constitute a model for cooperation among cultures and religions.

    Cem will reiterate that Turkey was ready to do its utmost to assist the sides to resume peace negotiations.

    Cem is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon later in the day.

    He will later proceed to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Arafat.

    -SEZER:''TURKEY WANTS PEACE TO PREVAIL IN ALL CAUCASIAN REGION''
    KARS - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has said that Turkey wanted peace and stability to prevail in all Caucasian region.

    Sezer delivered a speech on housing plan in historical cities at a conference at Kafkas University. The conference is held by the Historical Cities Association.

    ''We believe that the Caucasian region, which has fertile lands and dynamic people, will continue to be important strategically as it was in the part. We think that Caucasia should turn into a group of countries with a developed net of highways and railroads. In this regards, we are happy to see that our neighbors South Caucasian countries are in close cooepration with Western economic institutions,'' he said.

    ''It is a fact that maintaining regional cooperation in Caucasia contributes to the economic revival of Turkey's north east provinces,'' he added.

    Sezer stressed that sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and Azerbaijan should be preserved during efforts to find a solution and that solution proposals which are not based on this would not be realistic.

    Sezer said it would be best for the Armenian people if Armenia withdraws from Azerbaijan and adopts a constructive attitude regarding the Karabag conflict. ''Turkey expects Armenia to strip itself from its prejudices and obsessions based on the past and have good relations with its neighbors,'' he said.

    Speaking about Turkey's EU preaccession process, Sezer said Turkey should preserve its culture, identity and national values during this process and the Historical Cities Association could have important contributions to this process.

    Sezer said cities with historical value could share their heritage with rest of the humanity and therefore help the development of mutual understanding and cooperation among nations.

    ''Our historical cities, with their identities, will not only hold light to Turkey's history but to the history of all humanity. The foundation of the Historical Cities Association is a big step for our country and it will fulfill important tasks to preserve the historical and natural texture of our historical cities. It will also be an important chain of the democratization process,'' Sezer said.

    -ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY CAN'T SEND TROOPS BUT TRAIN AFGHAN OPPOSITION GROUPS
    ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday that if the United States launched a military operation in Afghanistan, Turkey could not send troops to the region, but they could provide military training for opposition groups in Afghanistan.

    Speaking at a program on private television channel CNN Turk, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''an operation against Afghanistan can last for a long time. If the United States launches a military operation in Afghanistan, Turkey cannot send soldiers to the region, but we can provide military training for opposition groups in Afghanistan.''

    Noting that the United States had put forward its determination against terrorism, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''there has been an atmosphere of indecision in recent days. The whole world has been waiting for the United States' attitude. United States President Bush clarified it during his speech at the Congress. His speech revealed that the United States targeted Osama bin Laden and his organization. The United States will concentrate its reaction on bin Laden.''

    Responding to a question, Ecevit said, ''it will be wrongful to expand fronts and targets. The United States has done the right thing by concentrating on a single target.''

    When asked whether or not he had information about date of the operation, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''no. It is difficult to estimate a date. If the United States prefer classical military intervention, it can last for years. Therefore it is necessary to form new methods and new strategies. There are opposition groups in northern Afghanistan. These groups have their own commanders and soldiers. There has not been any unity among them so far. According to my point of view, it will be more appropriate to expect military land operation from Afghans by providing a unity among these opposition groups. Meanwhile, intelligence should be attributed great importance. We can make valuable contributions to this end.''

    ''Our intelligence units have been following all developments in Afghanistan especially in northern region. At the same time, we have close relations with some of those opposition groups for a long time, especially with the group headed by General Dostum. We can provide military training for them. Turkey cannot send tropps to the region, but provide military training,'' he said.

    When asked whether or not he had conveyed his opinions to U.S. officials, Ecevit said, ''we were to make a statement yesterday but we were informed that President Bush would make a long statement, and we postponed it. Now, we will make an evaluation. We have not determined the issue in detail yet because we have to know what the U.S. administration will do at this point. Now, it has been clarified.''

    When asked whether or not there was difference of opinion among highest level state officials about the letter that would be sent to the U.S., Ecevit said, ''we talked about such an intention. However, we said that it would be more appropriate to wait for Bush's statement and Islamic clerics' attitude. However, some journalists found this very strange. Furthermore, a newspaper defined this as 'letter scandal'. However, we should be very careful about this matter as we are in a very sensitive period. We have been keeping our intense contacts also with the U.S. administration. As I have said that it is now clarified.''

    ''A difference of opinion at the highest state level about the letter is out of question. On the contrary, we have a full harmony. As I have said that we can easily propose our contribution when the U.S.'s plan becomes clear and what kind of a method it will use against terrorism becomes clear, '' he said.

    When asked whether or not a letter would be sent to the U.S. and what kind of a contribution Turkey would make after latest developments, Ecevit said, ''first of all, we have to know what the U.S. is planning to do. What can we do within this farmework? We have a compromise with the U.S. in fight against terrorism. The U.S. administration has supported our position against terrorism in a very sound and concrete way. If it became clear how the U.S. will fight against terrorism, we should inform our American friends on the kind of our contribution.''

    When asked whether or not Turkey had carried out intelligence activity in Northern Afghanistan, Ecevit said, ''we have been continuing our comprehensive intelligence activities not only in Northern Afghanistan but also in whole Afghanistan. We can get information about everything. We are extending moral and financial support to General Rasheed Dostum and his units.''

    When asked whether or not the U.S. could get a political result by supporting the opposition groups in north of Afghanistan, Ecevit said ''at the moment, opposition does not have a power but they can be granted such a power. The U.S. has great responsibility for this. Afghanistan can't be left alone to suffer such an outworn regime. Afghanistan's strategic importance is interesting. Ataturk attributed importance to Afghanistan in the period when our Republic was founded. He sent prominent bureaucrats and commanders to Afghanistan.''

    When asked how those terrorist attacks would affect Turkey's and world economy, Ecevit said, ''a result should be achieved before it takes too long. Because, there has been a recession in world economy. If it takes long, it will negatively affect both developed countries and developing countries like Turkey. Consequently, a process of revival should start in the economy. Also, the U.S. does have responsibility.''

    -IRAQI PERSON DIES AS HE WAS TRYING TO ENTER TURKEY ILLEGALLY
    OZALP - An Iraqi person died as he was trying to enter Turkey illegally in Ozalp township of eastern province of Van on Friday.

    Gendarmerie teams patrolling in rural area Asagi Turgali and Egribelen village in Ozalp, warned a group of Iraqi people who were trying to enter Turkey illegally, to stop immediately.

    Teams opened fire in the air to warn those who did not obey to warnings.

    An Iraqi people was shot dead, while 36 others were captured.

    They were taken into custody for violating Turkish borders and passport law.

    They will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.


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