SEZER APPROVES RTUK LAW
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday signed into law a measure amending the Law on the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK). Under the new law, the members of RTUK are authorized to appoint the head of state broadcaster the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). Meanwhile, the seventh EU harmonization package proposing modifications to the structure of the National Security Council (NSC) was approved yesterday by Parliament’s Justice Commission. /Sabah/

PARLIAMENT SET TO VOTE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR SALE OF FORMER FORESTLAND
Before it breaks for summer recess on Friday, Parliament is scheduled to convene today to vote on a constitutional amendment allowing the sale of state-owned former forestland. Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies are expected to be in full attendance at today’s general assembly session in order to get the 367 votes required to pass the amendment. /All Papers/

CABINET DISCUSSES GUL’S WASHINGTON VISIT
The Cabinet convened yesterday to discuss Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s recent visit to Washington as well as bills expected to be debated by the Parliament before it goes on summer recess this Friday. Gul briefed the Cabinet on impressions from his visit, reiterating that the US expected Turkey to participate into a future stabilization force in Iraq. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the prospect of Turkey sending its troops to Iraq would soon be discussed during a separate summit to be attended by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. The government believes that such deployment would necessitate authorization from a new bill prepared in cooperation with the president and the General Staff’s Office. Speaking to the press after the meeting, government spokesman and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek noted that Parliament was expected today to approve a bill allowing amnesty for repentant militants of the outlawed PKK/KADEK terrorist group. /Cumhuriyet/

GUL: “A PARLIAMENTARY MOTION WOULD BE NEEDED TO SEND OUR TROOPS TO IRAQ”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday that in his view, a parliamentary motion would be needed in order for Turkey to send its troops to Iraq. Speaking on television, Gul said that during his visit last week to Washington, US officials had told him of their desire for Turkish-US joint action in Iraq. Noting that the final decision would be Ankara’s, Gul said, “If our troops serve in Iraq, they will be under Turkish command.” Commenting on Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK) leader Jalal Talabani’s recent statement that there was no need for Turkish troops in northern Iraq, Gul said, “In order to intervene in this region, Turkey should obtain a separate invitation from Iraq’s Governing Council, as well as Talabani and Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party [IKDP] leader Massoud Barzani.” The prime minister added that Turkey could not ignore the continued presence of the terrorist organization PKK/KADEK in northern Iraq and would take all necessary measures in order to defeat it. /Turkiye/

ECEVIT: “THE US CANNOT IGNORE TURKEY’S INTERESTS”
The United States cannot ignore the interests and needs of Turkey, an indispensable part of the Middle East, said Democratic Left Party (DSP) Chairman and former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday. Urging Ankara to clarify its Iraq policy as soon as possible, Ecevit added that Turkey should not make concessions from its national interests for the sake of maintaining good relations with Washington. /Cumhuriyet/

SYRIAN PM MIRO: “WE SHOULD ACT TOGETHER ON IRAQ”
Syrian Prime Minister Muhammed Mustafa Miro said yesterday that Turkey, Syria and Iran should all act together concerning US policies on Iraq. Miro, the first Syrian premier to visit to Turkey in 17 years, is set to arrive in Ankara today. Speaking on television, Miro stated that Turkey and Syria had security agreements regarding terrorism. “However,” he added, “in both countries, there are people who are violating the law.” Stressing that Damascus wanted to boost its relations with Ankara, Miro said that both nations would benefit from the development of bilateral economic, political and social relations. /Turkiye/

S&P UPGRADES TURKEY’S RATING
International rating organization Standard and Poor’s yesterday announced that it had upgraded Turkey’s rating and affirmed the country’s outlook as stable. S&P said that the upgrade reflected the government’s progress in implementing its International Monetary Fund-backed economic program, despite certain delays. The rating agency warned, however, that Ankara should take care not to deviate from the program in the runup to expected local elections. /Anatolia News Agency/

GERMAN DAILY BILD: “TURKEY IS 2003’S FAVORITE DESTINATION”
Turkey is the favorite destination for German vacationers for 2003, German daily Bild reported yesterday. Both the quality of tourist services offered in Turkey and its reasonable prices make the country an attractive one to visit, added the paper. /Hurriyet/