ERDOGAN: “OUR DECISION ON TROOP DEPLOYMENT WILL FOLLOW CONSULTATIONS WITH IRAQIS”
Speaking at the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Central Executive Board (MKYK) yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the government had decided that there was no need for an immediate decision on sending troops to Iraq. Erdogan also briefed the MKYK members on recent developments on the issue. “Negotiations with tribal leaders and other native Iraqi groups are still continuing, and the results of these talks will determine our stance on sending troops there,” said Erdogan. “There is no need to take an immediate decision before these talks are concluded.” Erdogan further stated that some of the government’s ministers were hesitant to send soldiers to Iraq. In other news, Erdogan yesterday attended ceremonies in Mus to commemorate the anniversary of the 1071 victory at Malazgirt, an event which paved the way for ethnic Turks to first enter Anatolia. Speaking to the gathering, Erdogan said that Turkey’s Anatolian homeland was very important for the nation. Erdogan further called on the nation to trust his government and it steadfast struggle against Turkey’s most pressing problems such as high inflation, unemployment, and corruption. /Aksam/

ERDOGAN TO MEET WITH UNIVERSITY RECTORS, DISCUSS PROPOSED CHANGES TO HIGHER EDUCATION LAW
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet today with a group of university rectors to discuss a draft law proposing rearrangements of the structure and functioning the Board of Higher Education (YOK). Education Minister Huseyin Celik is also due to attend the meeting. /Star/

GUL: “OUR DECISION ON IRAQ IS STILL PENDING”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday said that if the government were convinced that Turkey could help bring peace and stability to Iraq, Turkish troops could well be sent there. Upon leaving the United Nations Office in Ankara, after signing a book of condolences for Sergio De Mello, the UN representative in Baghdad who lost his life during a bomb attack last week, Gul told reporters that the troop deployment issue was still under consideration. “No decision has been made yet,” said Gul. “If we believe with certainty that Turkish troops can contribute to Iraq’s prosperity, we can send them.” Regarding a parliamentary motion on the matter, the foreign minister said, “If our stance becomes clear, then we can call Parliament for an extraordinary session in September. Otherwise, Parliament will begin its work as scheduled [when it reconvenes in October].” /Turkiye/

IRAQI TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVES DUE IN VISIT ANKARA
Before making a decision on whether or not to send troops to Iraq, Turkish officials are continuing their contacts with various Iraqi groups. As part of these meetings, a group of representatives from Ubeydi Tribe, one of the most powerful tribes in northern Iraq’s Kirkuk, is set to arrive in Ankara today to hold meetings with Foreign Ministry officials. A delegation from a nationwide tribal commission is also expected to visit Ankara in the coming days. In addition, seven representatives of the 25-member Iraqi Governing Council, is scheduled to visit Turkey in mid-September. /Turkiye/

AKP DEPUTIES VISITS IRAQ
Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies Turhan Comez and Cevdet Erdol are currently paying a visit to Iraq to take the nation’s pulse regarding possible Turkish troop deployment there. The two deputies yesterday met with Kirkuk Mayor Abdul Rahman Mustafa and told him of Turkey’s concerns over the recent violence in northern Iraq, said Comez. The Iraqi people have a positive view of Turkey as a Muslim neighbor with historical ties, stated the deputy, one that resisted full cooperation with the US-led Iraq war and was not part of any occupying force. All the Iraqis say that if Turkish troops come, they should be kept separate from US forces,” he continued. “They can help solve our problems and protect us.” For his part, Erdol said that the Iraqi people definitely oppose the occupation and US soldiers, but could view Turkish troops differently. “Under certain conditions, they would welcome Turkish forces,” he stated. /Turkiye/

FALLUJAH MAYOR WARNS OF “HELL” AWAITING TURKISH SOLDIERS
Anf Turkish troops setting foot in Fallujha, an Iraqi city 50 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, will face a “hell” of opposition there, warned city Mayor, Taha Badawi Hamid al-Alwani yesterday. Following a meeting with the local political and religious leaders, Alwani announced that they had unanimously rejected any Turkish troop deployment in the city, adding that the people of Fallujah would avoid cooperating with Turkish soldiers. Alwani further said that Turkey deploying forces to the area known as the Sunni triangle, a territory west and north of Baghdad where reports say Turkish troops are likely to be sent, would revive old enmities and grievances in the region. US forces opted to withdraw from Fallujah early last month after facing strong Sunni resistance. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY SIGNS EXPORTS AGREEMENT WITH CHINA
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen yesterday met in Ankara with visiting People’s Republic of China Trade Minister Lu Fuyuan, and both signed an exports agreement between their countries. Speaking after the meeting, Tuzmen said that under the new pact, Turkey’s exports to China would grow by about $200 million by year’s end. /Milliyet/

72ND IZMIR INTERNATIONAL FAIR OPENS
The Izmir International Fair (IEF) as organized by the Izmir Fair Services Culture and Art Works Trade Corp (Izfas) opened its doors for the 72nd time yesterday with a ceremony held at Lozan (Lausanne) Square yesterday. This year’s IEF will focus on technology, and in particular space technology and robots. Over 1,000 companies, including some 360 foreign firms from 64 countries, are due to participate in the fair, whose international segment closes on next Wednesday. /All papers/

TURKISH RUNNER IN PARIS GAMES QUALIFIES FOR WOMEN'S FINAL
Turkish sprinter Elvan Abeylegesse’s stellar showing in second heat competition at Paris’ World Championships yesterday has put her in the running for the finals. Abeylegesse ran the 5,000-meter heat in 14 minutes, 54.95 seconds, a personal best for her. Her teammate Sureyya Ayhan is due to compete today. /All papers/