ERDOGAN ATTENDS ISO MEETING IN ISTANBUL
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a meeting of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) chaired by ISO Chairman Tanik Kucuk. Addressing the gathering, Kucuk praised the government's well-run economic program, but complained about high input costs. "We don't have the power to compete internationally with these high input costs," he said. "Energy prices in other countries are one-third of ours. Our situation is worse than even during the 2001 crisis." Also addressing the gathering, Erdogan said that only discussing the problems of the business world wouldn't be enough, that solutions also need to be sought. "Of course there our problems, but you can't compare today's economic indicators with the past," he said. "Our exports more than doubled." Commenting on his recent meetings with representatives from the textile, confection, and leather sectors, Erdogan stated that the government cut the value-added tax (VAT) for these sectors following the meetings. "The government should be appreciated," added Erdogan. /Turkiye/
FM SPOKESMAN: "POLITICAL HARMONIZATION AND EU TALKS SHOULD RUN PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan spoke on the recent European Union initiative to put forward political criteria as preconditions to begin negotiations on each topic during Turkey's EU talks, saying that harmonization with the political criteria and negotiations should run parallel to each other. "There are expressions in the negotiations framework document in line with this," he said. "Making a direct link on harmonization with the EU's political criteria and negotiating process is contrary to the philosophy of the negotiating process." Commenting on the recent health situation of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who underwent surgery due to inner ear problems earlier this week, Tan said that Gul would leave the hospital when his doctors discharge him. /Turkiye/
SENER, MUMCU COMMENT ON CB GOVERNOR CONTROVERSY
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener yesterday commented on the recent controversy over appointing a new Central Bank governor, saying that it would be better if a name for the post was clear. "In many countries new names are declared when the departing governor's term in office is finished," he said. In related news, Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu criticized the government on the issue, saying that the government didn't have the courage to publicly declare who it wants at the post. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy leader Kemal Anadol criticized the government's handling of the situation as "clumsy." /Milliyet/
INTL TERRORISM SUMMIT STARTS IN ANKARA
An international symposium entitled "Global Terrorism and International Cooperation" hosted by the General Staff's Center of Excellence-Defense Against Terrorism starts today at Ankara's Bilkent Hotel. Top military officials from 82 countries including chiefs of staff and top military officials from NATO member states as well as the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, and South Korean Chief of General Staff Gen. Sang-Hee Lee will attend the summit. At the summit, which will have four sessions, participants will seek ways to forge stronger international cooperation against terrorism. /Aksam/
ATALAY: "STAY-AT-HOME CENSUS DAYS TO END"
The days of staying at home for a whole Sunday during the census will be a thing of the past, said State Minister Besir Atalay yesterday. Atalay, speaking at the Ninth Research Summit at the Istanbul Hilton Convention Center, said that the two-year "citizenship number" system, combined with a detailed database of addresses and voting ages, could replace the stay-at-home census in coming years. The minister emphasized the importance of obtaining accurate population data. "Everything needs to be based on concrete data," said Atalay. "The source of information is crucial in assessing value of information itself." He underlined, however, that extreme attention needs to be given to methodology of the data collection. "Transparency will be the key to boosting faith in the research methodology. There should be common standards for the whole sector. This means that the Researchers' Association has an important role to play," said Atalay. /The New Anatolian/
US DIPLOMAT GRAY VISITS ANKARA ON IRAN ISSUE
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gordon Gray yesterday came to Ankara to discuss Iran issue. Gray reportedly yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy advisors and then had a lunch with a group of deputies, and had contacts at the Foreign Ministry. Iran was the topic A of the meetings. Washington wants Iran to be isolated due to its nuclear program, and also expects Turkey to put pressure on Iran. After the meeting, Gray told a press conference that the US backs diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis but doesn't rule out military options. After being asked whether the US would have any military requests from Turkey if the diplomatic process fails, Gray said that it would not. /Cumhuriyet/
US SENATE DELEGATION TO MEET WITH PM ERDOGAN
A group of US senators led by Sen. John W. Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, are now visiting Turkey as part of a regional tour. The six-senator delegation will meet with Prime Minister Erdogan as well as some deputies to discuss Iraq, Iran, bilateral relations and defense cooperation. The delegation, which also earlier met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari and civil and military US officials, will leave Turkey tomorrow. /Star/