ARINC: "ON A POSSIBLE CROSS-BORDER OPERATION, PARLIAMENT WILL WORK WITH THE GOVT"
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday commented on debates over a possible cross-border operation against the terrorist PKK, saying that Parliament would do its best to meet the government's wishes on the issue. Asked about US Ambassador Ross Wilson's statements discouraging such an operation, Arinc declined to comment, saying that Foreign Ministry officials would make necessary statements on the issue. Saying that all of the needs of security forces were being met in the fight against terrorism, Arinc added that Turkey was using the right methods to fight the terrorist PKK. /Sabah/
ERDOGAN: "IF WE MAKE HAKKARI MORE LIKE ISTANBUL, THIS WOULD BE A REAL SUCCESS"
Addressing at the General Assembly of Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about Turkey's underdeveloped areas. "Hakkari, Van and Diyarbakir should be like present-day Istanbul," said Erdogan, adding, "If we can achieve this, we can say that we're successful. This will start with education and health. We'll achieve this by bringing justice, security, roads, agriculture and livestock up to European Union standards." Erdogan said that all regions of the country should have equal standards, and that this will make Turkey stronger. "Turkey has achieved security and stability during this period," he added. "There is economic activity in all cities. But we can't go forward while key infrastructure problems still persist in many cities. There can be no villages without roads and running water." /Hurriyet/
ERDOGAN TO TRAVEL TO TRNC TODAY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due today to travel to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to attend tomorrow's ceremonies marking the 32nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. During his three-day visit, Erdogan will meet separately with TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, and former President Rauf Denktas. /Turkiye/
IN LONDON, GUL MEETS WITH BRITISH FM TO DISCUSS IRAQ, TERRORIST PKK
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, currently in London for an official visit, yesterday met with his British counterpart Margaret Beckett to discuss a number of issues, including Iraq. During their meeting, Gul said that the Iraqi government was unable to control northern Iraq due to its own security problems. Speaking afterwards at a joint press conference, Gul called their meeting "very fruitful," saying that they had discussed bilateral relations, Turkey's European Union membership bid, Cyprus, Iraq, and the fight against terrorism. Saying that he had told Beckett that the terrorist PKK takes shelter in northern Iraq due to the power vacuum there, Gul added that Iraq couldn't control the region due to its own security problems. "We need to cooperate," he stressed. Commenting on the Cyprus issue, Gul said that no one in the world could criticize the Turkish Cypriots or Ankara concerning the issue. In related news, under its new Anti-Terror Law, Britain has outlawed the terrorist groups Kongra-Gel and Kadek, since they are front names for the terrorist PKK. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN: "A DECISION ON N.IRAQ OPERATION ISN'T UP TO THE US AMBASSADOR"
During his contacts in Istanbul, Erdogan spoke to reporters about US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson's recent statements discouraging a possible cross-border operation into Iraq. "If reports on the statement of the US ambassador are accurate, this is very mistaken," said Erdogan. "It is not up to this ambassador or ambassadors to decide on that. It is only the government of the Republic of Turkey which will decide on and implement this." He added, "We would prefer to act together with the concerned countries, but if there's no willingness on their part, we will do what is necessary." /Star/
OPPOSITION PARTIES SUPPORT CROSS-BORDER OPERATION
Opposition parties yesterday voiced support to the government over a possible cross-border operation into northern Iraq against the terrorist PKK. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy group leader Ali Topuz said yesterday that Turkey didn't need anybody's permission for such an operation. Opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) Party leader Erkan Mumcu said that a cross-border operation was in Turkey's legitimate interest. True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar said, "If Turkey can't get any results from diplomatic initiatives, it should have the courage to exercise its rights under international law. Our opposition doesn't go beyond the Habur [border gate with Iraq]. If Turkey uses its rights arising from international law, we don't oppose it." /Cumhuriyet/
86TH CEREMONY OF PRESIDENTIAL COMMAND OF THE ARMED GUARD CELEBRATED
The 86th anniversary of the Presidential Command of the Armed Guard was celebrated yesterday. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok attended the ceremony. /Sabah/
US STATE DEPT: "WE DIDN'T SUPPORT A CROSS-BORDER OPERATION IN THE PAST"
In an interview with news channel NTV, US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson yesterday said that the US had no double standard over terrorism. "By saying `Israel has the right to defend itself,' I made a call on Israel to do less damage to civilians," said Wilson. "Conditions may change regionally. A unilateral operation in northern Iraq wouldn't be reasonable and sensible. Turkey has an ally in Iraq. Israel doesn't have such an opportunity." Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack backed Wilson's statements and gave this message on Turkey's preparations for a possible cross-border operation: "I don't believe that we supported this in the past. We support exchange of intelligence among the multinational force in Iraq, Iraqi government and Turkey and tried to respond to the terrorist threat on the Turkish population." /Hurriyet/