There are important developments and movements in the region, so Turkey’s exchange of information with the CIA comes from this and is normal, said government spokesman Cemil Cicek on Monday about CIA Director Porter Goss’ recent visit to Turkey, adding that Turkey has expectations from US about the terrorist PKK. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Cicek said that Goss’ visit had not been discussed by the government ministers. Cicek indicated that intelligence organizations from other countries meet from time to time, adding, “This wasn’t the first time a CIA director has visited Turkey.” Cicek stated, “At many meetings that I took part in, especially on the fight against terrorism, the issue that many countries emphasize is that sharing intelligence on terrorist groups is the first step. This issue has priority. Therefore, Turkey shares information on intelligence with the US as well as other countries. This is natural.” /Cumhuriyet/
CIA’S Goss Reportedly Warned Ankara Of Iranian Threat
During his recent visit to Ankara, CIA Director Porter Goss reportedly
brought three dossiers on Iran to Ankara. Goss is said to have asked for
Turkey’s support for Washington’s policy against Iran’s nuclear
activities, charging that Tehran had supported terrorism and taken part in
activities against Turkey. Goss also asked Ankara to be ready for a possible
US air operation against Iran and Syria. Goss, who came to Ankara just after
FBI Director Robert Mueller’s visit, brought up Iran’s alleged attempts to
develop nuclear weapons. It was said that Goss first told Ankara that Iran has
nuclear weapons and this situation was creating a huge threat for both Turkey
and other states in the region. Diplomatic sources say that Washington wants
Turkey to coordinate with its Iran policies. The second dossier is about
Iran’s stance on terrorism. The CIA argued that Iran was supporting
terrorism, the PKK and al-Qaeda. The third had to do with Iran’s alleged
stance against Ankara. Goss said that Tehran sees Turkey as an enemy and would
try to “export its regime.” /Cumhuriyet/
GEN. Buyukanit Proceeds To Washington
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, who arrived in New York on
Saturday to pay an official visit at the invitation of US Army Chief of Staff
Gen. Peter Schoomaker, yesterday visited the West Point Military Academy, and
then proceeded to Washington. Buyukanit is scheduled to meet with Schoomaker
and Deputy Defense Secretary Eric Edelman and to visit military facilities. On
Saturday, Buyukanit is expected to leave for Turkey. /Turkiye/
CHP:“the Fbi And Cia Visits Were Meant To Soften Up Turkey And Make It
Accept Their Demands”
Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy group leader Ali Topuz
yesterday charged that recent visits of CIA Director Porter Goss and FBI head
Robert S. Mueller aimed to “soften up” Turkey and so make it accept
Washington’s demands. “If they want to end terrorism, they should catch
the terrorists in Kandil,” northern Iraq, added Topuz, referring to the PKK.
/Milliyet/
RECTOR Askin’s Trial To Start Tomorrow
The trial of Yuzuncu Yil University Rector Yucel Askin is due to begin
tomorrow in Van. Delegations from the Board of Higher Education (YOK) and main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will attend the hearing. Askin
and other nine suspects, including four professors, are charged with
corruption in a 1998 medical equipment purchase. Askin was jailed in mid
October. /Sabah/
Nato Secretary-General To Visit Ankara
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is due to arrive in Ankara on
Sunday for a two-day official visit. During his stay, Scheffer is expected to
talk with Turkish officials about a number of issues, including the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, NATO-European
Union defense cooperation, and Iraq. /Hurriyet/
EU’S MIREL:“turkish-Eu Negotiations Will Begin In March, At The
Latest”
Pierre Mirel, a senior official of the European Commission’s Enlargement
Office, said yesterday that Turkey would be able to begin the talks phase of
its accession negotiations with the bloc in March at the latest. Speaking at a
seminar in Ankara, Mirel said that the commission foresees starting
negotiations in earnest with Turkey in February or March. Turkish and EU
experts have so far concluded the preliminary screening phase on four chapters
of the 35: science and research, education and culture, public tenders and
competition policy. The screening process is meant to prepare for accession
negotiations between the EU and a candidate country. /Star/
KRETSCHMER:“the Role Of The Armed Forces In Turkey Is Different From In
Eu Member States”
Speaking to reporters in Konya yesterday, European Commission Turkey
Representative Hansjoerg Kretschmer said that the role of the armed forces in
Turkey was different from the role the military plays in European Union member
states, adding that Ankara needed to do much in this area. “Recently we’ve
seen progress in this area,” he said. “I’m sure Turkey will reach EU
standards in the coming years.” /Hurriyet/
Commission Meets To Set Minimum Wage
The state commission charged with setting a minimum wage to take effect at
the beginning of next year held its second round of meetings in Ankara
yesterday. During the one-and-half-hour gathering, economic figures were
evaluated. The next meeting will be held on Friday. /Turkiye/
Turkish Air Forces To Train Italian Pilots On F-16s
The Turkish Air Forces is due to train Italian pilots on F-16 fighter jets
under an agreement signed between the General Staff and the Italy’s Defense
Ministry which was approved by the Cabinet last month. The agreement will be
in effect for a year. Last year, the Turkish Air Forces trained United Arab
Emirates pilots on F-16s under a protocol signed between the two countries in
2000. /Milliyet/
Morgan Stanley:“in The Third Quarter, The Turkish Economy Grew Above
Expectations”
International investment bank Morgan Stanley yesterday announced that in
the third quarter of this year, the 7.3% growth of the Turkish economy
surpassed the bank’s expectations of 6.8%. The bank predicted that if this
growth trend continues, then growth for the end of this year would be 6.2% and
the Turkish economy would grow 6.5% next year. /Aksam/