SEZER COULD VISIT AZERBAIJAN NEXT WEEK
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is planning to visit Azerbaijan in the near future, but the trip has not been scheduled, Foreign Ministry sources said. Sezer's visit is planned for next week, an Azeri online news portal reported. "The sides are currently working on agreements to be signed during the visit," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said. /Turkish Daily News/
ERDOGAN MEETS WITH OIC SECRETARY GENERAL IN JEDDAH, ADDRESSES THE NATION ON ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visiting Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday met with Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. Speaking at a joint press conference, Erdogan said that the OIC and similar institutions were very important for world peace and stability. For his part, Turkish scholar Ihsanoglu said that Turkey was one of most active members of the OIC, adding that it supported and contributed to all projects of the organization. Later, addressing the nation on television, Erdogan stressed the importance of countering terrorism, adding that everyone should participate in this effort. "If we don't win this fight together, then we'll lose it together," he said. He stated that all state institutions were working in harmony and determination to eliminate all threats faced by the nation. "We've taken all necessary measures," said Erdogan. Commenting on last week's Nevruz celebrations, the premier said that there were circles which wanted to use this day to cause social tension. /Turkiye/
ARINC: "CITIZENS OF DIYARBAKIR FAVOR PEACE AND CALM"
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, currently in Helsinki, Finland to pay an official visit, yesterday spoke on the recent violence in Diyarbakir, saying that the city's citizens were not the ones behind the incidents. "I believe that the citizens favor peace and tranquility," he said. Calling the incidents "disappointing," Arinc stated that though necessary measures were taken, damage was done to the buildings of public institutions. He added that the harm done to people and buildings should be condemned. Arinc further called on European Union member states not to try to make Turkey a political tool. /Turkiye/
MHP LEADER: "DON'T BE LURED INTO STREET BATTLES"
Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday released a written statement saying that traitors who aim to destroy Turkey's national unity, brotherhood and national integrity have lately accelerated provocations to drag Turkey into a dangerous atmosphere of tension and clashes. The statement read, "To Turkish nationalists, I say: Under no circumstances will you lose your calm and dignity, no matter how serious the provocations you face. No influence will lure Turkish nationalists into the streets to wage a bloody battle." /Star/
HIGHER ANTI-TERROR BOARD CONVENES
The Higher Anti-Terror Board yesterday held an extraordinary meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul upon the request of Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener. Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, and Gendarmerie General Commander Gen. Fevizi Turkeri were among the participants. During the meeting, recent incidents in Diyarbakir and necessary counter-measures were discussed in detail. The participants reportedly decided to take necessary measures within legal and democratic principles to fight terrorism. /Milliyet/
DIYARBAKIR GOVERNOR: "PKK PROVOCATIONS IN INCIDENTS ARE CLEAR"
Diyarbakir Governor Efkan Ala yesterday said that the terrorist PKK's provocations in this week's incidents in Diyarbakir, which have resulted in the death of three people and many injuries, were clear and that the terrorist PKK had sent children into the streets, adding, "You shouldn't move with reflexes but with wisdom. Shall we kill children?" Speaking about the incidents, which began after the funeral of four PKK terrorists, Ala said that such events had been expected. Ala said that after the incidents, life would continue as normal in the city, but complete calm couldn't be provided, and without mentioning its name, Ala indicated Danish channel Roj-TV, which Ankara says is a PKK mouthpiece. /Milliyet/
BAGIS: "TURKEY IS THE US' MOST TRUSTWORTHY ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy advisor Egemen Bagis, in New York after attending the annual meeting of the Turkish-American Council (TAC) in Washington, said yesterday that Turkey was the US' most trustworthy ally in the Middle East. "This situation will continue to hold true," he said. Speaking at a dinner, Bagis praised the good relations between Ankara and Washington for the last 60 years. "Our two countries have many things in common such as democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression," said Bagis. "The US and Turkey don't want to lose each other." He added that political and military relations between the two countries were strong, but economic ties needed to be strengthened. /Turkiye/
US AMBASSADOR WILSON: "THERE'S NO NEED FOR TURKEY'S MEDIATION ON IRAN"
US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson yesterday said that there's no need for Turkey's mediation on the Iranian nuclear crisis. Wilson, who participated in the annual conference of the American Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington on Wednesday, ruled out a possible mediator's role by Turkey." Neither we nor some others are looking for any mediators in the nuclear standoff with Iran," he said. "There's already an adequate level of communication. The international community is giving clear messages to Iran." Commenting on whether or not a high-level meeting between Turkey and Iran would contribute to a diplomatic solution to the problem, Wilson said that three EU member states as well as Russia, which has close relations with Iran, are already giving clear messages to the country. /Cumhuriyet/
IN WAKE OF ELECTIONS, ISRAEL AWAITS ANKARA'S INVITATION
Israel, after its general elections this week, has taken a decision that its new prime minister and foreign minister will pay their first visits abroad to Ankara so as to improve Turkish-Israeli relations, which have been strained recently. Diplomats said that Israel was awaiting invitations from Ankara. According to diplomatic sources in Israel, although uncertainty about the new coalition continues after Kadima, the party of seriously ill Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, won the elections, the country will make some changes to its foreign policy. Israel reportedly wants the Palestinian issue to be solved under a plan with Turkey's participation. For this reason, the prime minister and foreign minister's first visits abroad will be to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/