ERDOGAN: "EVERYONE SHOULD AID THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM"
Speaking at a meeting of his party in Agri over the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on a recent rise in terrorist attacks in which 13 soldiers were killed by the terrorist PKK over the past week, saying that this caused him great sorrow. "I hope my emotions will not overshadow my mind, knowledge, and experience," he said. Stressing that everyone should help in the fight against terrorism, Erdogan added that the PKK was continuing to kill Turkish soldiers. "We were always patient about the issue and want to solve it through democracy," said Erdogan. "But the PKK killed eight soldiers overnight. Last week five soldiers were killed by the terrorist PKK. There many things to discuss at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting." Erdogan stated that it was necessary to end the nation's terror problem, and peace should be ensured in the country. The premier further said that the government had made investment in the eastern and southeastern Anatolia regions and added, "We will be happy when these regions have the same modern structure as the west of the country." He added, "We're against ethnic nationalism. There are more than 30 ethnic groups in Turkey. We should give the necessary response to those who want to divide our country." Later, speaking in Igdyr, Erdogan said that those who supported terrorism should know that terror would strike them too one day. /Turkiye/

ANTI-TERROR COUNCIL GATHERS
The High Anti-Terrorism Council chaired by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday gathered extraordinarily upon the directive of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the meeting, urgent measures for stepping up the fight against the terrorist PKK were discussed. After yesterday's meeting, the Cabinet today will discuss cross-border operations, air operations including Iraq's Kandil Mountains, tightened inspections at the Habur border gate with Iraq, diplomatic initiatives to Baghdad and Washington, an urgent meeting among Iraq, the US and Turkey, and renewing the "hot pursuit" agreement between Turkey and Iraq. /Sabah/

AKP'S AKIF GULLE INJURED, MERZIFON MAYOR KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT
Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader Akif Gulle was seriously wounded in the head yesterday when his car collided with another near the Merzifon district of the central Anatolian province of Amasya. Gulle was traveling with Merzifon Mayor Hayati Incekul and local AKP local officials in the same car. Incekul died en route to hospital, while others in the car as well as two people traveling in the other car involved in the accident were wounded. /Turkish Daily News/

CHP'S BAYKAL: "THE RECENT PICTURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ISN'T PROMISING"
At a Socialist International (SI) meeting on the Greek island of Samos over the weekend, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal spoke on the recent developments in the Middle East. After a SI working group meeting yesterday, Baykal told reporters that they had discussed the recent situation of the Middle East and evaluated the speech of Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who also attended the meeting. Baykal also said that he felt a deep sorrow for the fallen soldiers killed in a clash with the terrorist PKK late Saturday night and called on the government to do its duty. /Star-Milliyet/

MUMCU: "TURKEY IS GRIPPED BY FEAR OF UNPRECEDENTED PROBLEMS"
The leader of the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) said yesterday that the country is gripped by fear due to unprecedented ethnic, sectarian and economic problems. ANAVATAN leader Erkan Mumcu said people are being pushed into an abyss of fear that is deepened by ethnic, religious and economic problems the country has been recently facing. Speaking at a press conference before his party's advisory board meeting, Mumcu also extended his condolences to the families of soldiers killed in an armed struggle with the terrorist PKK on Friday near Siirt's Eruh province. /The New Anatolian/

BAHCELI COMMENTS ON RISING MIDEAST TENSION
Speaking at a meeting of his party yesterday, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli commented on rising tension in the Middle East and criticized the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) for not taking a stance against the aggressive stance of Israel. Bahceli further criticized the United Nations for delaying action to stem the crisis, saying that the UN was no longer a global institution. "Countries should reorganize this institution or set up another one," he added. Also commenting on recent developments in Turkey, Bahceli that Turkey was facing new threats every day. /Turkiye/

TUZMEN TO VISIT THE US IN SEPTEMBER IN BID TO BOOST TRADE
State Minister Kursat Tuzmen is expected to travel to the US in September. After preparing strategies on Africa, the Far East, Russia, and neighboring countries, the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat has now prepared a "US Strategy" aimed at boosting exports. During his stays in New York and Chicago, Tuzmen will be accompanied by a group of businessmen. The visit aims to seek ways to boost exports between the two countries. Delegations from the US will also be invited to Turkey. /Milliyet/