TURKISH TROOPS MAY BE DEPLOYED IN IRAQ IN OCTOBER
If Turkey does decide to send troops to Iraq, reportedly this may not take place before October. Diplomatic sources said that this timetable is likely even if Parliament passes a motion authorizing the deployment. In related news, next week a delegation of officials from the General Staff, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the Foreign Ministry is scheduled to make a fact-finding visit to Iraq. In addition, another delegation of Parliament deputies is also expected to visit the country to take the pulse of both Iraqi officials and the Iraqi people in the coming days. In addition, a group of representatives from nine Iraqi clans is due soon to visit Foreign Ministry officials in Ankara. /All Papers/

GUL: “TURKEY WILL NOT WAIT FOR A UN RESOLUTION”
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that it wasn’t clear if the United Nations would pass a resolution on establishing an Iraq stabilization force, adding that Turkey wouldn’t wait for the UN to decide whether to send its own troops there. The foreign minister stated that officials were continuing to examine the issue. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN URGES UNITED AKP FRONT ON IRAQ TROOP DEPLOYMENT ISSUE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday reportedly warned the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Parliament deputies not to comment individually on the question of Turkey sending troops to Iraq, but rather to wait for the government’s decision on the matter. Speaking at a meeting of AKP founders to mark the party’s second anniversary, Erdogan said that his party should project a unified front on the issue. “We are carrying on our work on the matter together with all related organizations and making all necessary decisions and measures.” Asking deputies to wait for the government’s final decision, the prime minister added that contacts with the US were ongoing and that the government was in full coordination with the military. /Turkiye/

IRAQ’S TURKMEN FAVOR TURKISH TROOP DEPLOYMENT
Even as discussions continue on Turkey sending troops to Iraq, Turkmen officials in Iraq say they favor such a move, stating that Turkish soldiers would contribute greatly to establishing peace and stability. “Recent unfortunate incidents in the triangle formed by Baghdad, Felluca [Al Fallujah] and Bakuba [Ba’qubah] are distressing the Iraqi people,” said Iraqi Turkmen Front representative Ahmet Muratli yesterday. “Additional foreign forces are needed.” He added that Turkish troops made up the most experienced army in the Middle East. Kemal Beyatli, chairman of the Iraqi Turks Culture and Solidarity Association, said that Turkish troops have a tradition of aiding people in distress. In addition, Kirkuk Foundation head Izzettin Kerkuk stated that Turkish soldiers should go to Iraq so that Ankara will have a say in Iraq’s reconstruction and also to protect the nation’s interests. /Turkiye/

NATO VESSELS ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL
Three frigates from NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) docked in Istanbul yesterday. Speaking at a press conference, STANAVFORMED Commander Adm. Philip Wirth said that STANAVFORMED was a NATO rapid deployment force acting under the control of its South European Naval Forces Command. Wirth noted that STANAVFORMED, which was formed with allied countries’ vessels in 1992, took part in NATO sea activities and maneuvers. Wirth said that since November 2001 they had been charged with preventing terrorism in line with a NATO decision upon the request of the United States in accordance with Article 5 of the NATO charter. He said that they shared their intelligence with NATO countries and acted in cooperation with domestic coast guard forces. Wirth added that they assisted all kinds of vessels in case of a danger, and also informed coast guard officials of relevant countries on the issue of refugees. There are eight warships vessels belonging to Turkey, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, Italy and Greece within STANAVFORMED. The three vessels will depart from Istanbul next Tuesday. /Anatolia News Agency/

RULING AKP CELEBRATES ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) yesterday celebrated its second anniversary. First top party officials visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Later, the party’s founding members gathered at Ankara’s Bilkent Hotel. Speaking at celebration ceremonies at the hotel, Prime Minister and the AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the AKP government’s priority was making progress in Turkey’s democratization. He stressed that social tensions were a thing of the past and that now an atmosphere of stability and trust prevailed, adding that the AKP would continue fighting corruption, a scourge which had plagued the nation far too long. “Our government’s foreign policy to date has been successful, and it will continue to be,” he added. “As a result of our successful policies, the oil pipeline from Kirkuk, Iraq to Yumurtalik in Turkey just began pumping oil for the first time since the Iraq war ended.” In related news, Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek and two former opposition deputies, Nezir Nasiroglu (from the Republican People’s Party, CHP) and Mustafa Zeydan (an ex-independent), joined the AKP. With the two additions, the number of AKP deputies in Parliament rose to 368, a majority allowing the party to pass amendments to the Constitution without the need for opposition votes. /All papers/

NOVELIST ORHAN PAMUK PROFILED IN WALL STREET JOURNAL
A profile of renowned Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk was featured in the arts section of Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal. The article by Michael J. Ybarra notes the contrasting age-old minarets and modern skyscrapers seen from Pamuk’s Istanbul apartment, marking a dichotomy of West and the East, old and new, which is also reflected in Pamuk’s works. Ybarra also reports on the numerous awards and accolades won by Pamuk since his first novel in 1983, including this year’s International IMPAC Dublin literacy Award. So far his six novels have been translated into 30 languages, adds Ybarra, and his most recent book Kar (Snow) is due to be published in the US next year. /All papers/