GUL: “THE ATTACK ON THE UN’S BAGHDAD HEADQUARTERS WON’T AFFECT OUR TROOP DEPLOYMENT DECISION”
The deadly attack on the United Nations’ Baghdad headquarters this week won’t affect Turkey’s decision on sending troops to the country, said Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday. "These are two separate issues," said Turkey’s top diplomat. In addition, the foreign minister expressed his deep sorrow for the loss of UN Representative for Iraq Sergio Vieira De Mello in Tuesday’s attack. Stressing that Iraq would need time to move to self-governance, write a new constitution and hold elections, Gul added, “But it will be good for both Turkey and the other countries of the region if this period lasts for as short a time as possible.” Turkey wants Iraq to live in peace soon and is ready to help towards this goal, said Gul. He stated that contacts with US officials were continuing to clarify the conditions under which Turkish troops might deploy in Iraq. /Turkiye/
US SENATOR LUGAR DISCUSSES TROOP DEPLOYMENT ISSUE WITH GUL, CICEK
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with US Senator Richard Lugar, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to discuss a possible deployment of Turkish soldiers to Iraq. Speaking afterwards, Lugar said that Washington was not putting pressure on Ankara to send troops, adding that in its decision the nation would be guided by a consideration of its own best interests. “I do believe that Turkey’s participation would help stabilize the country,” Lugar told reporters. “Turkey’s experience is of crucial importance with regards to guaranteeing Iraq’s stability. We think [Turkey and the US] have common interests in a democratic and stable Iraq … So are hopeful of Turkey’s participation.” Later, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek received the US senator. Speaking after their meeting, Cicek said that Turkey’s decision on troop deployment would not be influenced by Tuesday’s car-bomb attack against the United Nations’ headquarters in Baghdad, a sentiment also expressed by Gul. Lugar later also met separately with Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul. /Aksam/
US GEN. JAMES JONES’ LETTER ON IRAQ DEPLOYMENT TO BE FOCUS OF SUMMIT
A summit on possible Turkish troop deployments in Iraq is set to be held today at the Prime Ministry. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, and Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu are expected to attend the summit chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the meeting, discussions are expected to focus on the recent letter sent to Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok from US Gen. James Jones, the supreme commander of allied forces in Europe, attempting to answer Turkey’s questions about the troop deployment issue. The letter reportedly said that Turkish troops could be deployed to the north and west of Baghdad, and that they would be under Turkish command. /Milliyet/
TURKMEN ASSEMBLY TO CONVENE IN KIRKUK
The Third Turkmen Assembly is scheduled to convene on Sept. 13-16 in Kirkuk in northern Iraq. A Turkmen representative stated that since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, Iraq’s Turkmen was ready to support democracy and that their assembly meeting was part of these efforts. /Turkiye/
TALABANI UNDERLINES OPPOSITION TO TURKISH TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN IRAQ
Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK) leader Jalal Talabani and accompanying members of the Iraqi Governing Council yesterday traveled to Sydney, Australia to participate in a meeting with representatives of the Kurdish community there. During the gathering, Talabani argued that Turkey intended to dissolve the current northern Iraqi regional government and parliament. Stressing that the IPUK opposed Turkish troop deployments in Iraq, Talabani warned that Turkish soldiers would encounter resistance from Kurdish guerillas if they attempted any such deployment. In response to previous hostile remarks towards Turkey made by Talabani, US officials recently warned him to watch his words about their longtime ally, underlining that Washington wants Ankara to participate in the Iraq stabilization force. /Star/
TURKISH TEAM AIDS BAGHDAD SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS
A Turkish search and rescue team yesterday flew to Iraq to help in rescue operations for possible survivors of Tuesday’s car bomb attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad. US Special Forces units are to ensure the safety of the team, which was formed by the Directorate General of Civilian Defense at Washington’s request. The team includes a doctor and nine technicians who will be using two trained sniffer dogs and special equipment in their search. Meanwhile, after meeting with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, US Senator Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday thanked Turkey for its “wonderful response” in sending the team, adding “[This] shows once again the sensitivity of the people of this country.” /Hurriyet/
CIVIL SERVANT, GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET TODAY FOR WAGE TALKS
At a second collective bargaining meeting set for today, representatives of the government and civil servants are to discuss salary increase proposals for the coming year. The unions, Kamu-Sen and KESK, conveyed their demands during a previous meeting on Aug. 15, and are now awaiting the government’s response. /All Papers/
CHINESE TRADE DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEY
A delegation of 62 Chinese businessmen headed by People’s Republic of China Trade Minister Lu Fuyuan is to arrive in Turkey today. During the group’s one-week visit, Chinese firms’ representatives are set to meet with their Turkish counterparts to seek ways to further develop bilateral trade relations. /Turkiye/
TURKEY BEATS MOLDOVA 2-0 IN FRIENDLY MATCH
Turkey beat Moldova 2-0 yesterday in a friendly match at Ankara’s 19 Mayis Stadium as part of its buildup for next month’s European Football Championship qualifiers. Goal-scorers were Nihat Kahveci and Okan Yilmaz. /All papers/
EFES PILSEN ISTANBUL WORLD CUP II BEGINS IN ISTANBUL
Turkey’s Efes Pilsen World Cup II summer basketball tournament began yesterday at Istanbul’s Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall with a hard-fought match between the two Group B favorites, Serbia-Montenegro and Italy, with the former winning 82-74. This was followed by Russia beating Turkey in Group A by 75-66. Serbia-Montenegro vs. New Zealand and Turkey-Latvia matches will be held today, with the top two sides in each of the three-team groups set to move to the semifinals. /All papers/