AN EXEMPLARY AGREEMENT ON THE STRUGGLE WITH TERRORISM...!

Saygi Ozturk, in his editorial titled "Germany and Turkey Came to Terms on Terror", which appeared on Star daily on March 4, 2003, examined an exemplary agreement signed between Turkey and Germany within the framework of the concept of struggle with international terrorism.

Saygi Ozturk, in his article, underlines that "success for the struggle with global terrorism can only be reached through international cooperation and solidarity". I would like to present this editorial to the attention of officials who are determined for the struggle with terrorism, having common sense:

"Turkish Minister of Interior Abdulkadir Aksu and his German counterpart Otto Schily signed an important agreement yesterday (March 3, 2003). Germany has begun cooperating with Turkey, after her public order was disturbed by KADEK (PKK).

The importance of the Security Cooperation Agreement signed between Turkey and Germany stems from the coverage of terrorist crimes. Thus, Germany will not be as comfortable as before for terrorist criminals. Turkey conveyed messages to all countries through the Interpol in order for them to extradite terrorist criminals and persons who had been sentenced to death before, after the abolishment of capital punishment. European countries will not be as comfortable as before for terrorists.

It is known that criminal groups of today are established via international organizations. Therefore, the struggle with them can only be possible through international cooperation. Turkey has always called attention towards the importance of "international cooperation" particularly on terror, narcotics and alien trafficking.

"The Agreement of Cooperation on the Struggle with Terrorism and Organized Crime" that was signed between Turkey and Germany includes the following topics:

1. Struggle with important crimes, particularly terrorism.
2. Illegal production and trade of narcotics and the precursors used for their production.
3. Illegal migration and alien trafficking.
4. Blackmail.
5. Illegal trafficking of arms, explosives, nuclear and radioactive materials.
6. Crimes committed against property.
7. The smuggling of works of art and historical artifacts.
8. Information crimes.
9. Copyright crimes.
10. Falsification on documents and official papers or forgery.
11. Training and exchange of experts, under the current circumstances, for sharing experiences.

Around 2.5 million Turkish citizens reside in Germany. Several German tourists visit Turkey each year. The mentioned agreement surely contributes to these relations.

During the discussions held between Turkish and German delegations, Germany's hesitation to act regarding the extradition of terrorists was also raised, although capital punishment was abolished in Turkey.

During the discussions, the German delegation stated that terrorist Metin Kaplan, the head of the Islamic Society and Communities Association, was arrested for extradition, however that the result of his appeal to the supreme court is required.

Turkey is not only after terrorist Kaplan but also certain high level members of some terrorist organizations. Turkey informed all the countries on the list of wanted terrorists through the Interpol. Following are some of the members of the terrorist organizations whose capture and extradition is requested:

1. Fehriye Erdal: The suspect of the Sabanci assassination, arrested in absentia. Her extradition was officially requested.

2. Dursun Karatas: Karatas, the leader of the terrorist DHKP-C that is included in the EU's list of terrorist organizations, is wanted for several offenses. There is no problem for his extradition to Turkey, since death penalty was abolished.

3. Cafer Ercakmak: Ercakmak, one of the fugitive suspects of the Sivas case, pioneered the burning of the Madimak Hotel when he was a member of the Sivas Municipal Council. Ercakmak has been residing in Germany and is wanted by the red bulletin of the Interpol.

4. Murat Karayilan: Karayilan, one of the high-level leaders of the PKK and the founders of KADEK, is held responsible for the murder of hundreds of innocent people and is living in Europe.

5. Riza Altun: Altun, one of the high-level leaders of KADEK-PKK, is wanted as the perpetrator of several murders. He currently resides in France.

6. Kani Yilmaz: Yilmaz, who once served as the spokesman of the PKK in Europe, is residing in Italy and frequently travels to Germany.

7. Cemil Bayik: Bayik, a member of the PKK-KADEK's Chairmanship Council, is wanted by the red bulletin of the Interpol.

8. Ismail Akkol: Akkol, one of the perpetrators of the assassination of businessman Ozdemir Sabanci, is also wanted by the red bulletin. Turkey revealed that Akkol is currently hiding in Greece and demanded his extradition.

Aslan Tayfun Ozkok, Faruk Ereren, Ahmet Duzgun Yuksel, Yadigar Adiguzel, Bulent Erkoc, Remzi Ucucu, Mehmet Gursoy, Sehir Sen and Hamdi Kayysy, high-level directors of the terrorist DHKP-C, which is in the EU's list of terrorist organizations, who are residing in European countries, are also wanted by the red bulletin of the Interpol.

Turkey has requested the extradition of Kadir Akdogan and Ibrahim Gumus, members of the terrorist TKIP, Suat Bozkus, a prominent member of the terrorist TDP and Garbis Altunoglu, who had served for a long while as the Secretary General of the terrorist MLKP.

It was stated, during the discussions held between Germany and Turkey, that certain terrorists wanted by Turkey are currently residing in Germany. "Precise" addresses and even phone numbers of some of those people were provided. The agreement was signed, now it is the time for the implementation..."

International public opinion, determined to struggle with global terrorism, expects the inclusion of the KADEK in the European Union's "list of terrorist organizations" and the extradition of terrorists, wanted by the red bulletin of the Interpol, to Turkey, following the inclusion of KADEK in the USA's list of terrorist organizations and the ban imposed on the organization in Germany.