Military

DATE=04/03/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN / TURKEY (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-288293

BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN

DATELINE=ANKARA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Afghan interim leader, Hamid Karzai is scheduled to arrive in Turkey

Thursday on a two day official visit. As Amberin Zaman reports from Ankara

the visit follows the Turkish government's decision last week to take

command of the international peace keeping force in Afghanistan.

TEXT: During his first ever official visit to the Turkish capital, Mr. Karzai

is expected to meet with Turkish leaders, including Prime Minister Bulent

Ecevit and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Turkish officials familiar with the interim Afghan leader's agenda say talks will focus on a number of key issues. Foremost among them is Turkey's decision to assume command of the international peace keeping force in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Turkey will be taking over from Britain -- the current commander of the force -- when its term expires later this month. Turkish officials say the handover will likely be completed in June.

Some one-thousand Turkish troops are to be deployed in Kabul in addition to some

260 Turkish troops already in place.

Mr. Karzai will also be discussing Turkey's likely contributions to his

war-ravaged country's economy. Turkish contractors are particularly eager to

land a chunk of reconstruction projects likely to be financed by the

international community.

Turkey has played a lead role in the U-S-led military campaign against

Taleban forces and members of the al-Qaida terrorist network in

Afghanistan. Soon after the September 11 terrorist attacks against the

United States, Turkey opened its skies and bases to U-S war planes, headed

for bombing missions in Afghanistan. It is the first Muslim nation to have sent

troops to take part in the international peace keeping force.

Turkey's ties to the Afghan nation date back to the 1930's when the then

Afghan Monarch, Amanullah Khan looked to Turkey's pro-western secular system

as a model for his own country. Turkey helped train the fledgling Afghan

army and built schools and hospitals in Afghanistan.

Today Turkey is training a group of young Afghan diplomats. Mr. Karzai is expected to inspect their progress during his visit to the Turkish capital. (signed)

NEB/AZ/RH