Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-12-19

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

19 December 2001

Wednesday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 19, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Heavy snow fall severed accession to Thrace region. Military units in Thrace were put on alert and joined rescue efforts. People who were stranded in their cars and passenger buses on roads were rescued by military forces and brought to near-by towns with tanks.

WE WILL PURCHASE AIRBUS MILITARY PLANES

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu who is in Brussels to attend NATO meetings signed a contract on behalf of Turkey to purchase 10 Airbus A400M military cargo planes. He announced that Turkey had a 5.6 percent share in the project and would make a 6.7 percent contribution to production of planes. The planes which will be produced within scope of Airbus Military Company's project are expected to be the ''most important factor of European defense''. AMC's military planes will be produced with participation of many European companies. Germany ordered 73 planes, France 50, Spain 27, Britain 25, Turkey 10, Belgium 7, Portugal 3 and Luxembourg ordered 1 A400M plane. Italy suspended purchase of 16 planes while some countries gave up buying planes.

''TURKEY MAY ALLOW USE OF ITS BASES IN IRAQ OPERATION''

New York Times reported that the U.S. administration rotated its attention toward Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and claimed that Turkish leaders had given the signals that Turkey would allow use of its bases in a possible U.S. operation aiming to topple down Saddam Hussein. As a proof, the newspaper gave place to National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu's statement which said, ''we have said on several occassions that we don't want an operation against Iraq. However, new conditions may bring new assessments onto our agenda.''

TURKISH TROOPS TO BE IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2002

Ankara expects that a decision on dispatch of troops would be taken at the U.N.'s today's meeting on deployment of a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. According to information leaked through diplomatic and military sources in Ankara, Turkish troops which will undertake mission in the U.N. Peacekeeping Force would go to Afghanistan in January. Turkey is planning to send nearly 1,000 troops, including 250-300 officers and non- commissioned officers. Turkish troops are expected to fulfil their mission in northern regions under control of General Rashid Dostum. Besides, they may also be assigned to control and protect Mazar-i Sharif and Kabul airports.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen gave U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson an ''emergency'' report which tells that Hizbullah terrorists and Metin Kaplan's supporters would stage joint terrorist acts. Yucelen will give this report to also German authorities during his visit to Germany. The most important information in this report is that terrorist Hizbullah organization and Kaplan's supporters who took shelter in Germany both have relations with Osama bin Laden and are planning to stage joint terrorist acts. According to the roport, Kaplan supporters will finance Hizbullah while Hizbullah will send terrorists to Kaplan supporters.

WE WILL SEND 1,000 TROOPS

The countries which accepted to send troops to Afghanistan will hold an important meeting in London today. Turkey will be represented by a General Staff official in this meeting in which also the United States and Britain will participate. At the meeting, situation of soldiers to be sent to Afghanistan will be taken up. Turkey will for the first time officially propose to send 1,000 troops to Afghanistan and and announce that it is ready for such a dispatch.

TURKISH-STYLE SCIENCE

The eight lambs which had been clonned at the Istanbul University were butchered as the cost of the project had been doubled.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Istanbul gave in to a handful of snow. The megacity was paralyzed just in one day due to ignorance of the state and municipality. As any measure had not been taken despite early warnings of the Meteorology, resident of Istanbul suffered hellish torture. All roads and streets were closed to traffic. And international shame: The TEM Motorway which connects Istanbul to Europe was closed to traffic.

500 PASSENGERS ON TRAIN SAVED FROM FREEZING TO DEATH

Heavy snow fall hit mostly the Thrace region. Hundreds of people were stranded on roads and in their houses. The Cerkezkoy Express carrying 500 passengers was stranded in snow between Edirne and Istanbul. They were rescued and brought to Istanbul after many hours.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Speaking to the newspaper, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey would have an influential role in Afghanistan, adding, ''we will contribute to formation of a national army and police organization.'' Stressing that Turkey would absolutely send soldiers to Afghanistan, Ecevit said that conditions of this dispatch would become clear in coming days. Regarding the economy, Ecevit said, ''also, I am hopeful about 2002, but this is Turkey.'' Noting that he would have an intense agenda during his visit to the United States, Ecevit said, ''it would be sufficient if they leave us alone with Greek Cypriots.''

HE GOES FOR KAPLAN

Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen left for Germany to sign agreements on cooperation in field of security and hold a series of contacts. Yucelen said he would hold talks on deportation of Metin Kaplan, the head of Shari'a supporters. Noting that the Justice Ministry had fulfilled the extradition procedure, Yucelen said, ''however, this person is now staying in prison. There are procedures for extradition. Actually, works on this issue are under way in Germany. One of our amnesty commissions is working there.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Daily life and traffic were paralyzed in Istanbul due to intensified heavy snow fall yesterday. A person froze to death in Bagcilar distirct of Istanbul. The weather will decrease to -7 degrees Celsius in Istanbul tomorrow. The Istanbul-Edirne connection of the TEM Motorway was closed to traffic. Motor vehicles going to Corlu were kept waiting in Edirne, those coming from Bulgaria were kept waiting at Kapikule Border Gate and in Derekoy and those coming from Greece were kept waiting at Ipsala Border Gate. Motor vehicles without tire chain are not allowed pass Bolu. Vessel crossings through the Istanbul Strait were limited. Ferrybout tours between Canakkale Strait and Bozcaada and Gokceada could not be made. Those who had gone to Marmara and Avsa islands were stranded. The motorway between Canakkale and Istanbul and many roads to townships of Bursa were closed to traffic. Snow fall continues in Thrace region. Accession to 17 towns and 552 villages were severed. Military units rescued people stranded on roads with tanks. Tunca River was covered with ice. Antanay is now suffering from strong southwesternly winds after flood. Golden Orange monument which was 2.5 meters in height and many trees collapsed. Bodies of three people taken away by flood waters in Manavgat have not been found yet. Schools were recessed for one or two days in many provinces. Roads to 600 villages in eastern Anatolia were closed. Meteorology said snow fall will slow down as of Thursday, but again, there will be cold weather in the weekend.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Spain will be our guide in our European Union (EU) path while the United States will increase its support in every field. Foreign Minister J. Pique Camps of Spain which will take over EU Term Presidency on January 1 said, ''Turkey should not feel itself excluded. During our Term Presidency, we will bring a new wind to accession negotiations and broaden horizon.'' Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will have an intense agenda during his visit to the United States in January. U.S. State Department Spokesman Boucher said Afghanistan and Iraq would be top issues and added that there were tens of matters to discuss with their ally Turkey.

WHY DID I GO BANKRUPT?

Prominent industrialist Halis Toprak who suspended also other projects due to the bottleneck that had started after confiscation of his Toprakbank said, ''we became the people who suffered much from the economic crisis'' and asked, ''should commiting suicide or imprisonment be the end of entrepreneurs who set up industrial facilities and invest in Turkey?''

GET RID OF THIS BURDEN

Association of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that four of the State Economic Enterprises and social security organizations suffered 10.6 quadrillion Turkish liras of loss. Stressing that this loss should not be met from citizens or other institutions, Hisarciklioglu called on the state to make serious reforms in these enterprises and organizations in 2002.

EID GREETING OF BUSH

U.S. President George W. Bush who received children of Muslim countries diplomats in the United States said he celebrated the Ramadan Feast of all Muslim children.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu thanked the United States which supported Turkey's fight against terrorism while he warned the European Union (EU). Speaking at the first meeting of European allies, Cakmakoglu who focused on ''apparent support'' of the United States to the joint fight against terrorism, showed the list of terrorist organizations prepared by Washington and said he expected the European allies to adopt the same attitude. Cakmakoglu said that Turkey continues investing in defense capabilities in line with the decision taken at the Washington summit despite economic problems. Cakmakoglu said, ''terrorism does not have religious belief, language and culture. All terrorist acts have one common charateristic, and that is to terrorize innocent people by resorting to violence.'' Stressing that fight against terrorism entailed a unity of understanding, Cakmakoglu said that those who supported terrorism were also responsible, and added, ''some terrorist organizations acting in disguise of democratic non-governmental organizations, can mislead public opinion. Turkey has been warning European countries against these terrorist organizations. Although it could not receive any support, Turkey has succeeded in its fight against terrorism.'' Cakmakoglu thanked the United States for supporting Turkey's fight against terrorism, and expressed Turkey's pleasure with inclusion of organizations staging terrorist acts against Turkey, in the United States' list of terrorist organizations. He called on member countries to the EU to act with the same sensitivity.

-TURKEY ORDERS 10 AIRBUS MILITARY CARGO PLANES

BRUSSELS - National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu who is in Brussels to attend NATO meetings signed on Tuesday contract for purchase of 10 Airbus A400M military cargo planes on behalf of Turkey.

Defense ministers of Turkey, Germany, Belgium, Britain, Spain, France, Luxembourg and Portugal signed the contract with the Airbus company for purchase of a total of 196 planes.

Germany ordered 73 planes, France 50, Spain 27, Britain 25, Turkey 10, Belgium 7, Portugal 3 planes and Luxembourg ordered 1 A400M plane.

Meanwhile, Italy suspended puchase of 16 planes while some countries gave up buying planes.

Planes will be produced within scope of the project of Airbus Military Company (AMC). Many European companies will join production of AMC's military planes.

The A400M has a classic high wing configuration, fuselage with ramp and large rear door, high flotation retractable landing gear and ''T'' tail. Its four turboprops provide it with a cruise speed of 0.72 mach at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet. Its cabin is 22.65 m long, including the ramp, 4 m wide at floor level and 3.85 m high, making it suitable for the transport of bulky cargo like helicopters, heavy vehicles, missile batteries and light vehicles placed side by side.

Cakmakoglu said that eight NATO allies were the partners of future large military cargo aircraft production project, adding that Turkey's share in the project was 5.6 percent and it would make a 6.7 percent contribution to production.

Noting that the plane could carry 120 commandos or paratroopers, 2 attack helicopters, Cakmakoglu said, ''the important thing is what Turkey has gained with this project. As a result of production of some parts of the plane in Turkey, plane industry, by-industry and employment will grow. Technology will be gained. Modernized planes will be replaced with C-130 cargo planes.''

Cakmakoglu will leave Belgium for Turkey early on Wednesday to attend Southeast European Defense Ministers' Meeting in Antalya.

-MEETING ON PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN TO BE HELD IN LONDON

LONDON- High-ranking military officials of 16 countries which are expected to join peacekeeping force in Afghanistan will convene in London on Wednesday.

High-ranking military officials of these 16 countries including Turkey, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Jordan and Malaysia will discuss the details of the matter at the meeting.

However, the British Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry and the Turkish Embassy in London have not given information on the place and details of the meeting yet.

-IMF'S TURKEY DESK CHIEF KAHKONEN LEAVES TURKEY ON TUESDAY

ANKARA - International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen left Turkey on Tuesday.

Sources said on Wednesday that during the week end and on Monday, Kahkonen had written their report on talks and observations they held in Ankara.

Meanwhile, the IMF delegation had finalized its works in Turkey and IMF saw no need to come to Turkey again until end of 2001, and that talks could be made on telephone or via e-mail if necessary, sources said.

The IMF Executive Directors Board''s meeting on Turkey and its programme is expected to be held in January.

The IMF delegation headed by Kahkonen who had come to Turkey on December 3 under the new economic programme and stand-by deal concluded its works on last Friday.

-TREASURY TO REPAY USD 80.9 MILLION THIS WEEK

ANKARA - Treasury will repay 80.9 million U.S. dollars in external debt this week.

According to Treasury Undersecretariat statistics, Treasury will repay 9.6 million U.S. dollars on Wednesday and 71.3 million U.S. dollars on Thursday.

Last week, the total foreign debt service was 437.9 million U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, total foreign debt repayments so far has reached 10 billion 339.5 million U.S. dollars since the beginning of the year.

-PRICES OF GOODS AND SERVICES RISE AFTER FLOATING CURRENCY REGIME

ISTANBUL- Price increases continued between March and November 2001 despite the growing poverty since adoption of the floating currency regime.

According to a survey carried out by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), price of some basic consumer goods and wholesale prices increased by 230 percent during the economic crisis.

Increase in retail prices of some goods on Turkish lira basis according to ITO's survey are as follows:

PRODUCT March November Difference/percent

------------- ---------- ---------- -------------

RICE 1284000 2240000 74.5

MACARONI 585000 1004000 71.6

WHEAT FLOUR 455000 881000 93.6

SAUSAGE 8637000 11476000 32.9

VEGETAL OIL 1116000 3373000 202.2

LENTIL 960000 1835000 91.1

WALNUT 7200000 12925000 79.5

GRANULATED SUGAR 645000 1260000 95.3

TOMATO PASTE 980000 1702000 73.7

SHORT FILTER CIGARETTE 325000 600000 84.6

RAKI 6000000 9821000 63.7

ELECTRICITY 90000 144000 60.0

LPG 8590000 15310000 78.2

NETWORK WATER 866000 1310000 51.3

FUEL OIL 181000 318000 75.7

KEROSENE 567000 921000 62.4

DINING ROOM FURNITURE 693000000 951000000 37.2

VACUUM CLEANER 77000000 123900000 60.9

REFRIGERATOR 524000000 1011600000 93.1

WASHING MACHINE 534800000 1045800000 95.5

LIGHT BULB 233000 447000 91.8

MATCH 25000 50000 100.0

CLEANING POWDER 1496000 2692000 79.9

DETERGENT 2094000 3141000 50.0

LIQUID BLEACH 787000 1571000 99.6

PAPER MATERIALS 926000 1797000 94.1

MEN'S COAT 76169000 209078000 174.5

SWEATER 21662000 59634000 175.3

UNDERWEAR 4421000 9054000 104.8

SHOE 25683000 58317000 127.1

WOMEN'S OVERCOAT 50071000 146458000 192.5

TOOTHPASTE 970000 1952000 101.2

PUBLIC BUS 400000 750000 87.5

GASOLINE 685000 1178000 72.0

TELEPHONE FEE 35000 46000 31.4

STRAIT CROSSING FEE 1500000 2000000 33.3

LETTER 200000 250000 25.0

COLOR TV 333900000 561000000 68.0

MATCH TICKET 1500000 5000000 233.3

SCIENTIFIC BOOK 900000 1200000 33.3

-ERMAN AND OZDES TO FOLLOW OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF INTERIM GOVERNMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

ANKARA- Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary and Afghanistan Special Coordinator Aydemir Erman and Turkish Ambassador to Afghanistan Mufit Ozdes will follow official declaration of the interim government in Afghanistan.

Erman and Ozdes who accompanied Foreign Minister Ismail Cem during his tour to Pakistan and Afghanistan will return to Kabul on Wednesday and follow official foundation of the interim government under prime ministry of Hamid Karzai.

-FOUR OF EIGHT PICASSO PAINTINGS PROVED TO HAVE BEEN FAKE

ANKARA - Four of the eight paintings which had been confiscated in Turkey claimed to have been painted by Pablo Picasso were proved to have been fake.

The Culture Ministry said on Wednesday that it had contacted through the Foreign Ministry with the ''Picasso Administration'' in France to determine whether or not those eight paintings which were taken under protection at the ministry's Ankara Fine Arts Museum were original, and that photographs of those paintings and technical information had been sent to this organization for expertise.

It said that Picasso Administration Chairman Claude Ruiz-Picasso had conveyed the expertise results to the Turkish Embassy in Paris, saying that four of those eight paintings were not painted by Pablo Picasso under the light of those photographs and technical information.

It said that the Picasso Administration would later convey the results of expertise on the other four paintings.

-ECEVIT SAYS NUMBER OF TROOPS TO BE SENT TO AFGHANISTAN IS NOT CLEAR

ANKARA- Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Wednesday that the number of soldiers who would be sent to Afghanistan was still not clear, adding, ''but, we will absolutely send troops. Existence of Turkish troops in Afghanistan is very important.''

Ecevit answered questions of reporters at the Prime Ministry.

When asked whether or not a decision on dispatch of 1,000 troops to Afghanistan had been taken, Ecevit said, ''the definite number has not become clear yet, but we will absolutely send soldiers, of course. Militarily existence of Turkey in Afghanistan is very important because a state should first of all have a national army in order to be a state and protect its sovereignty and independence. As far as I know, there is not a national army in Afghanistan. There are different armies which clash or compete with each other. This way, Afghanistan cannot protect its independence and state.''

''So, Turkey should contribute to Afghanistan especially in this matter. As you know that our armed forces and police are making very beneficial contributions to security organization in many countries. Maybe, Turkey is the country which has most experiences in this field. So, I think that we should focus especially on these matter. What I mean to say is that we should do our best for rapid formation of a national army and police force which overcome these confusions and competition,'' he said.

When asked whether or not they had received a signal from the United States about an operation against Iraq, Ecevit said, ''as you know, we are closely interested in Iraq. Because, events and developments in Iraq concern and affect Turkey in one way. It is clear that also the United States is interested in Iraq.''

''As you know, Mr. Bush has invited me. The date has not been set yet, but I suppose that I will visit the United States in the second half of next month. I believe that my visit would be very important. As the U.S. State Department Spokesman said that there are tens of issues to discuss with the United States. Meanwhile, the spokeman especially mentioned Iraq. It is understood that they will focus on this matter. There are many issues we will discuss besides this. I think that it would be a very important and beneficial visit,'' he said.

When asked whether or not the government partners would come together regarding the Laeken Summit, Ecevit said they always came together.

When asked when the EU adjustment laws would be brought onto the agenda, Ecevit said, ''they are actually on the agenda. A schedule was set for this matter. Indeed, which one of them would have priority was determined. I believe that the parliament will take up these adjustment laws at first. As you know, the parliament works rapidly and there would not be any delay in this matter.''

When asked a decrease in number of ministries was in question, Ecevit said that as the leaders of political parties forming the coalition government, they had not discussed the matter yet, adding that important changes would be made in coming years.

-ISTANBUL POLICE CONFISCATE 62 TONS OF ILLICIT DRUGS SINCE 1969

ISTANBUL - The Istanbul Police has launched 8,638 separate operations against illicit drug trafficking since 1969.

According to Istanbul Police statistics, 16 tons 248 kilograms 640 grams of heroin, 39 tons 410 kilograms 37 grams of hashish, 99 kilograms 349 grams of cocaine, 1 ton 685 kilograms 5 grams of opium, 4 tons 648 kilograms 227 grams of base morphine have been confiscated.

In these operations, Istanbul Police captured 20,780 people and seized 732 weapons.

Officials said the current market price of this 62 tons 91 kilograms 258 grams of illicit drugs is nearly 300 trillion Turkish liras.

-SNOW AND COLD WEATHER DELAYS TURKISH DELEGATION'S VISIT TO GREECE

EDIRNE- The two-day visit which the Turkish delegation headed by Edirne Governor Fahri Yucel planned to pay to Greece was postponed due to bad weather on Wednesday.

The visit which was planned to be held between Dec. 21-22 has been postponed to January.

The Turkish delegation composed of 70 persons would visit Greece upon the invitation of Rhodop governor.

-TURKEY READY TO ATTEND PEACE FORCES WITH A BATTALLION AT MOST

ANKARA- It was reported on Wednesday that Turkey was ready to attend the international peace forces that will be set up for Afghanistan.

Reliable sources told A.A that the number of Turkish troops would not exceed a battallion.

Sources said the final decision will be taken at a meeting that will take place in London today.

-EIGHT COUNTRIES INCLUDING TURKEY SIGN CONTRACT OF A400M CARGO PLANE PROJECT

ANKARA - Eight countries including Turkey signed a contract worth of 18 billion Euros for the project of A400M cargo plane.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said on Wednesday that the first contract of the project was signed in Brussels on Tuesday and noted that TAI, as a national industrial institution, represented Turkey in the project from the beginning.

Dr. Klaus Von Sperber, the Chairman of Organisme Conjointe De Cooperation En Matiere d'Armament (OCCAR) signed the contract covering 196 planes on behalf of Germany, Belgium, France, Britain, Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal and Turkey with Airbus Military Executive Board President Alberto Fernandes.

The European countries promised to purchase and start production of 196 Airbus Military A400M cargo planes by signing the contract during an extraordinary session of Defense Ministers' meeting of European and NATO countries, TAI said in a statement.

TAI noted that 73 planes will be handed over to Germany, seven planes to Belgium, 50 to France, 25 to Britain, 27 to Spain, one to Luxembourg, three to Portugal and ten to Turkey, adding that the first plane is expected to be ready in 2006 and the first delivery is planned to be made in 2008.

The project is very important for the Turkish defense industry to enable it to take part in other world wide projects, said TAI.

-FOREIGN MINISTER CEM PHONES TO BELGIUM FOREIGN MINISTER MICHEL AND THANKS HIM

ANKARA - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem called Belgium Foreign Minister Louis Michel on the phone on Tuesday evening and expressed pleasure over the statement issued following Laeken summit.

Diplomatic sources said on Wednesday that Cem who called Michel on his return from Afghanistan, congratulated him for the success of the EU summit.

Spain who will take over the EU Term Presidency from Belgium in the beginning of January, will hold its first meeting together with EU countries with Turkey within the scope of its meeting with EU candidate countries.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ak�n Alptuna is expected to participate in the meeting to be held in Madrid on January 8.

-TURKEY-IRAN 16TH TERM JEC MEETING TO TAKE PLACE IN DECEMBER 23-27 IN TEHRAN

ANKARA - Turkish-Iranian 16th Term Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting will take place in Tehran in December 23-27.

Office of State Minister Mehmet Kececiler pointed out that representatives of private sector will be included in the official delegation that will visit Iran.

Works will be launched on energy, transportation, agriculture, customs issues to improve bilateral economic and technical cooperation.

Kececiler, who will be received by Iranian President Khatami, will hold contacts with Iranian Transportation, Trade, Finance, Oil, and city planning.

A protocol, which will be preparaed at the end of JEC negotiations, will be signed after the contacts.

Meanwhile, State Minister Kececiler said he attributed importance to the cooperation and relations between Turkish and Iranian businessmen, stressing that this cooperation should be facilitated, encouraged and supported.

-TUSIAD HIGH CONSULTATION COUNCIL TO CONVENE ON FRIDAY

ISTANBUL- Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) will hold the last High Consultation Council meeting of the year on December 21 in Ankara.

Muharrem Kayhan, the TUSIAD High Consultation Council Chairman and TUSIAD Executive Board Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan will address the meetings.

Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Mesut Yilmaz will attend the meeting and make a speech evaluating full membership process to the European Union (EU).

Political and economic developments will also be discussed at the meeting.

-''INTERNATIONAL FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTS'' BECOME BOOK

ANKARA - Parliamentary Human Rights Follow-Up Commission published a book entitled ''International Fundamental Human Rights Documents''

Fundamental human rights conventions and statements, accepted by the U.N., Council of Europe, and Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are included in the book.

Parliamentary Human Rights Follow-Up Commission Chairman and Manisa Parliamentarian Huseyin Akgul, who wrote the preface of the book, said respect to human rights became the most evident criteria of the level of civilization of the countries, and noted that human rights are not any more the domestic matters of the states in this globalizing world.

Pointing out that human rights became one of the most important concepts of the Turkey's internal and external policy, Akgul said the commission carried out its struggle for human rights not because of an international pressure but because every citizen deserves it.

-QATARI MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ARRIVES IN TURKEY

ANKARA - Abdurrahman Bin Hamad Al Atiya, the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs arrived in Ankara on Wednesday.

The guest minister who was welcomed by State Minister Mehmet Kececiler, the Turkey-Qatar Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Co-Chairman and State Minister at Esenboga Airport, will also meet with State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel.

The guest minister Al Atiya will participate in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)- European Union (EU) Joint Forum preliminary meeting to be held on Dec. 21 in Ankara.

The visit of the Qatari minister who has important tasks in OIC and Gulf Cooperation Council is important before the official visit of Qatari Amir to Turkey between 25-26 December.

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