ERDOGAN SENDS ENVOY TO SYRIAN LEADER IN BID TO EASE MIDEAST TENSION
As part of his efforts to ease the recent tension between Israel and Palestine regarding the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday sent his Chief Foreign Affairs Advisor Ahmet Davutoglu to Syria to convey his messages to Syrian President Bashar Assad. Expressing Ankara's concern over the issue, Erdogan remarked that in addition to the US and the United Nations, Turkey and Syria should play a lead role for a settlement in the region. Pointing to Assad's influence on Palestine, Erdogan asked the Syrian leader to take a more active part in efforts to stop further escalation of the tension and ensure peace in the region. /Aksam/
FM GUL VISITS WASHINGTON
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday went to the US with a busy agenda. The Turkish-US "common vision document" will be announced during Gul's visit. Before his departure Gul told a press conference that he would meet with National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, Turkish Friendship Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Robert Wexler and US Senate Foreign Relations Commission head Senator Richard Lugar as well as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He added that he would also meet with members of the Turkish-American Council, representatives of Turkish groups in Washington, representatives from various think-tanks and the US media. /Cumhuriyet/
PAKISTANI PM TO VISIT ANKARA TODAY
Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will pay a short visit to Turkey today to meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Aziz had planned Sunday to stop over in Ankara while flying to Geneva, but was unable to due to technical problems with his flight. But Erdogan and State Minister Ali Babacan waited for a few hours at Ankara's Esenboga Airport. Sources said yesterday that the two sides regretted being unable to realize that meeting on Sunday, but they added that Aziz will be in Ankara today for a few hours and will meet with Erdogan to discuss bilateral relations and exchange ideas on regional issues. /The New Anatolian/
BAYKAL: "IF ERDOGAN IS ELECTED PRESIDENT, THEN HE COULD FACE TRIAL OVER CLAIMS FROM HIS PRIME MINISTRY"
Speaking to a group of reporters at his party's headquarters yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that if Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is elected president next year, then he could face trial for claims stemming from his time as premier. Saying that Erdogan's party is resisting holding early elections so he can be elected president, Baykal stressed that the immunity of the president only included his time as president. "But what will happen if Erdogan is sent to the Supreme Court by Parliament due to his actions during his tenure as prime minister?" asked Baykal. "I think that he could face trial. There is a clear definition in the Constitution of parliamentary immunity, but there is no such definition about the president. Before today there have not been corruption claims about a president." Baykal also commented on the "strategic vision document" to be signed by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Washington this week, saying that he was concerned about the document. "It hasn't been released," he said. "If there were positive things in the document, the government would have shared them with the public already. I'm concerned that this is a submission document of the government." /Sabah/
IN LETTER TO GUL, ANNAN SUPPORT TURKEY'S PROPOSALS
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has sent a letter to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul responding to Turkey's January proposal to end trade and similar restrictions on both sides of Cyprus. In his letter, Annan said that he welcomed Ankara's proposal. Speaking to reporters about the letter, Gul said that Annan would prepare a comprehensive report for his successor before he leaves his post. Gul added that the Cyprus issue could only be solved by taking into account the facts on the island. /Milliyet/
ELBARADEI TO VISIT TURKEY
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Mohamed ElBaradei will visit Ankara starting tomorrow in order to hold contacts on Turkey's nuclear energy plant plans. During his four-day stay, ElBaradei will meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and learn about Turkey's plans to build three nuclear power plants. /Cumhuriyet/
VATICAN OFFICIAL: "TURKEY SHOULDN'T BE AN EU MEMBER"
Cardinal Walter Kasper, head of the Vatican's department for Christian Unity, said yesterday, "Turkey shouldn't be a European Union member, as it obstructs religious freedom." Responding to news of the attack on a French priest in Samsun, Kasper said, "We think that Turkey isn't ready to integrate with the EU," adding, "If it were in the position of a truly secular state, it could guarantee religious freedom. Now minorities face a hostile situation." /Hurriyet/
US AMBASSADOR: "TURKEY AND THE US HAVE DEEP-ROOTED TIES"
The 230th anniversary of the independence of the US was celebrated yesterday at a reception at US Embassy in Ankara. Addressing the guests, US Ambassador Ross Wilson, host of the gathering, said that Turkey and the US had deep-rooted ties. Stressing that Turkey is a republic with a track record of ongoing democratic reforms, Wilson stated that its accomplishments were inspiring millions of people throughout the world. Attending the reception on behalf of the government, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek pointed to reciprocal visits of increasing frequency between the two countries, calling them a sign of improving relations. /Turkiye/
TURKEY INVESTMENT, SUPPORT AND PROMOTION AGENCY TO BE ESTABLISHED
A law proposing the establishment of an agency on the nation's investment, support and promotion went into effect yesterday with its publication in the Official Gazette. The agency will be affiliated to the Prime Ministry and cooperate with other institutions to formulate strategies to attract foreign investment in the country. /Turkiye/
PAKISTAN'S TOP MILITARY OFFICIAL MEETS WITH OZKOK
Pakistani Chief of General Staff Gen. Ehsan Ul Had visited Ankara yesterday and met with his Turkish counterpart. During their meeting, the two top commanders discussed bilateral military relations and possibilities for further developing cooperation over their respective defense industries. Pakistan is interested in Turkey's tank and training plane production projects. The Pakistani commander was also received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. /Turkiye/
CB REPORT PREDICTS SLOWDOWN IN FOREX RISES THIS MONTH
The Central Bank yesterday published a report entitled "Price Developments in June." The report stated that the rise in the foreign exchange rate would slow down this month and stressed that there were price reductions in the clothing and shoe sectors and a 5% rise in drug prices. The report also stated that there were price increases in refined petroleum products. It further stated that the effect of developments in the exchange rate on inflation was estimated at 0.87 points. /Aksam/